{{short description|Kenyan actress (born 1985)}} {{Infobox person | name = Mūmbi Maina <!-- include middle initial, if not specified in birth_name --> | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1985|1|14}} | birth_place = Nairobi, Kenya | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | death_place = | other_names = | awards = Kalasha awards | occupation = {{Flatlist| *Singer *Actress *production co-ordinator }} | years_active = 2009{{ndash}}present | known_for = | notable_works = Zakia ''Sense8'' }} '''Mūmbi Maina''' (born 14 January 1985) is a Kenyan actress known for her role in the soap opera ''Mali''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.actors.co.ke/en/index.php/mer/femaleactordetail/156|title=Mumbi Maina's biography|accessdate=October 29, 2015|website=actors.co.ke}}</ref>
She is an actress and dancer who has starred in both local and international films since 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-18 |title=The rise and rise of actress Mumbi Maina |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/the-rise-and-rise-of-actress-mumbi-maina-4274156 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>
Mūmbi is well known for her role as Zakia in the Netflix sci-fi show ''Sense8''. After garnering her first play in 2009, she played Riziki in "Unseen Unsung Unforgotten" and won her first Kalasha award for the best supporting actress.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Berlinale Talents Project - Unseen, Unsung, UNFORGOTTEN |url=https://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt//bt/project/profile/40930 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Berlinale Talents |language=en}}</ref>
Mūmbi became a household name through the award-winning NTV show Mali (2011–2013) and received her Kalasha nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
She has starred in many other films, including DSTVs Africa Magic original films such as 29, Terra Firma, Being Oti, Lovers Ransom, and Runaway Groom.
==Career== Mūmbi Maina made her debut in the entertainment world in 2009 when she starred in the film ''Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten'' as Riziki. She appeared alongside Benta Ochieng and Nice Githinji. The story mainly focused on HIV/AIDS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diasporamessenger.com/2011/11/video-unseen-unsung-unforgotten-kenyan-movie/|title=Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten|accessdate=October 29, 2015|website=diasporamessenger.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/project/profile/40930|title=U, U, U synopsis|accessdate=October 7, 2015|website=berlinale-talents.de}}</ref> In 2011, she was cast as one of the leads in the Kenyan soap opera ''Mali''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.afrinolly.com/movieActors.php?movieCelebDetails=198|title=Mali, United by blood:Divided by Greed|accessdate=October 29, 2015|website=afrinolly.com}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In November 2011, she shared credits with Rita Dominic and Robert Burale in the film ''Shattered''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kenyabuzz.com/movies/shattered|title=Shattered|accessdate=October 29, 2015|website=kenyabuzz.com}}</ref> In early 2015, she starred in the television series ''How to Find a Husband''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sodasandpopcorn.com/2015/05/05/how-to-get-a-husband/|title=How to find a husband|accessdate=October 29, 2015|website=sodasandpopcorn.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125212/http://www.sodasandpopcorn.com/2015/05/05/how-to-get-a-husband/|archivedate=March 4, 2016}}</ref> She plays Jackie, who is friends with Abigail and Carol. She works alongside Lizz Njagah and Sarah Hassan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/tv/31020-secrets-revealed-how-to-find-a-husband-storylab|title=How to Find A Husband #StoryLab|accessdate=October 29, 2015|website=ghafla.co.ke|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109075141/http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/tv/31020-secrets-revealed-how-to-find-a-husband-storylab|archivedate=January 9, 2016}}</ref>
In 2016, Mumbi featured in a short film, Lina, as Jane Mabagwa and also played Zakia in Sense8 for seven episodes of the second season. Her role lead director Lana Wachowski to cast her in The Matrix Resurrection to play Eliister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-18 |title=The rise and rise of actress Mumbi Maina |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/the-rise-and-rise-of-actress-mumbi-maina-4274156 |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=Daily Nation |language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, Mūmbi starred in the [https://www.netflix.com/ke/title/81635743 Nafsi] film <ref>{{Cite news |title=The rise and rise of actress Mumbi Maina |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/the-rise-and-rise-of-actress-mumbi-maina-4274156 |work=Nation}}</ref> as Aisha, alongside Catherine Kamau who played Shiko her best friend who offered to be a surrogate mother to save Aisha's marriage after she and her husband had challenges conceiving. The film was produced by Reuben Odanga of [https://www.multan.co.ke/nafsi-movie-reuben-odanga-2/ Multan Production Limited.] She played Thabisa in La Femme Anjola, a thriller about a young Nigerian investment banker. Mumbi got nominated for Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards in 2022 for her role as Thabisa.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-10 |title=5 highlights to know about 'La Femme Anjola' ahead of its March release |url=https://www.pulse.ng/story/5-highlights-to-know-about-la-femme-anjola-ahead-of-its-march-release-2024081805084519697 |access-date=2026-03-11 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref> On this project, she worked alongside Rita Dominic who played Anjola and Nonso Bassey as Dejare.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-19 |title=LA FEMME ANJOLA - Genesis Cinemas |url=https://genesiscinemas.com/2785561-2/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2025, she starred in the new Showmax Original The Chocolate Empire as Vera.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Milimo |first=Dennis |date=27 March 2025 |title=Jimmy Gathu, Sanaipei Tande, Mumbi Maina feature in crime drama 'The Chocolate Empire |url=https://www.mpasho.co.ke/entertainment/2025-02-27-jimmy-gathu-sanaipei-tande-mumbi-maina-feature-in-crime-drama-the-chocolate-empire |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=Mpasho}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film and television === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !!Title!!Role !!Notes |- |2008 |''Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten'' |Riziki | |- |2011–2015 |''Mali'' |Nandi |Soap opera, main cast |- |2011 |''Shattered'' |Mumbi | |- |2014 |''Jane & Abel'' |Cecelia | Soap opera, main cast |- |2015 |''How to Find a Husband'' |Jackie |Limited-run series, main cast |- |2015 |''Runaway Groom'' |Leah |TV movie |- |2016 |''Kati Kati'' |Jojo | |- |2016 |''Lina'' |Jane Mabagwa |Short film |- |2017–2018 | ''Sense8'' |Zakia |Recurring role (season 2) |- |2021 | ''The Matrix Resurrections'' |Ellster | |- |2021 | ''Nafsi'' |Aisha | |- |2021 |''La Femme Anjola'' |Thabisa |Nigerian neo-noir crime thriller |- |2022 | ''Salem'' |Zara Mufasa |Main cast |- |2022 |''Crime and Justice'' | Mrs. Mumbi |Episode: "The Death Squad" |- |2023 |''Second Family'' |Katherine |Telenovela |- |2025 | ''The Chocolate Empire'' |Vera |Recurring role |}
== Nomination and Awards == {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Year !Award !Category !Show !Result !Ref |- |2009 |Kalasha International Film and TV Awards |Best Supporting Actress Film |Unseen, Unsung, Unforgotten |{{Won}} | |- |2012 |Kalasha International Film and TV Awards |Best Supporting Actress Film |Shattered |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wagwau (Writer) |first=Adam |date=2012-11-16 |title=Full List: All Movies & TV Shows Nominated for Kalasha Awards |url=https://www.ghafla.co.ke/full-list-all-movies-tv-shows-nominated-for-kalasha-awards/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=Ghafla! |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2017 |Kalasha International Film and TV Awards |Best Supporting Actress Film |Lina |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=munenemwarania |date=2017-11-15 |title=Mbithi Masya's Kati Kati Racks Up 12 Nominations At Kalasha Awards |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/mbithi-masyas-kati-kati-racks-12-nominations-kalasha-awards/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=The Sauce |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wamathai |first=James |date=2017-12-10 |title=Kati Kati and Sue & Jonnie among winners in the Kalasha Awards 2017 |url=https://hapakenya.com/2017/12/10/kati-kati-and-sue-jonnie-among-winners-in-the-kalasha-awards-2017/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=HapaKenya |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |2022 |Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards |Best Supporting Actress |La Femme Anjola |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Staff |date=2022-03-21 |title=Mumbi Maina, Sarah Hassan Among AMVCAs 2022 Nominees |url=https://www.sinemafocus.com/mumbi-maina-sarah-hassan-among-amvcas-2022-nominees/ |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=Sinema Focus |language=en-GB}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons}}{{Wikiquote}} * {{IMDb name}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maina, Mumbi}} Category:1985 births Category:Kenyan television actresses Category:Kenyan film actresses Category:Living people Category:21st-century Kenyan actresses Category:Actresses from Nairobi Category:Kalasha Awards winners