Mo-Faya Series Review: A Kenyan Crime-Thriller That Fizzles Out Too Soon

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Nairobi, with rare glimpses into the captivating landscapes of Western Kenya, Mo-Faya ignites the screen with its seven-part drama infused with a touch of telenovela flair. This compelling series follows Zawadiwe, a young woman determined to start afresh with her boyfriend. But just as her dreams take flight, buried secrets and looming dangers threaten to pull her into a whirlwind of crime and chaos.

Created and directed by the visionary Reuben Odanga and brought to life by Multan Productions in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, Mo-Faya masterfully blends gripping storytelling with a unique Kenyan essence.

Plot

Mo-Faya kicks off with a chilling opener: an unknown man drags another pleading for his life into the bush, ending the moment with a gunshot. This tense start gives way to the life of a notorious group whose operations include a hacker capable of infiltrating any system. Their criminal endeavours, often violent, set the stage for the drama to come.

The story then shifts to Zawadiwe, a young woman mourning the recent loss of her mother. Amid her grief, tensions arise within her extended family over burial arrangements. The issue? Zawadiwe’s father never paid her mother’s dowry. Coupled with her rocky relationship with her dad, Zawadiwe makes the life-altering decision to leave home after the funeral, hoping to carve out a new beginning.

But her fresh start takes an unexpected turn. Unaware that her boyfriend runs a dangerous crime organisation, Zawadiwe soon finds herself entangled in their illicit activities. The twist? Her estranged father is a police officer determined to bring this same group to justice.

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What unfolds is a turbulent journey marked by betrayal, tragedy, and impossible decisions. Caught between her love for her boyfriend and her moral compass, Zawadiwe must navigate a path fraught with danger and dilemmas.

Cast

Regarding performances, Mo-Faya offers a blend of strengths and missed opportunities, creating an intriguing, if uneven, viewing experience.

Lorna Lemi delivers a satisfactory portrayal as Zawadiwe, our female lead, evolving from a grieving, vulnerable young woman in the first episode to a determined criminal activist by the finale. While her transformation is impressive, it’s difficult to fully connect with her character after the initial stages of mourning, largely due to the script’s shortcomings rather than her acting.

Ibrahim Ouma takes on the role of Brian, the gang’s student leader, and puts in commendable effort. However, his performance sometimes wavers between being too subdued or overly intense, which occasionally disrupts the balance the story requires.

In contrast, Tobit Tom shines as Kevin, Brian’s best friend, bringing charm and authenticity to the screen. Even in quieter, introspective moments—such as navigating traditional family matters with a council of elders—Kevin’s character remains compelling. Tobit’s natural performance makes Kevin a standout, perfectly balancing Brian’s reserved demeanour with his own erratic energy, a dynamic often seen in crime dramas.

Mathew Ngotho plays Timothy, the gang’s tech wizard. While his “nerd” persona is evident from the outset—perhaps too obvious—the character’s portrayal is solid.

Notably, Blessing Lung’aho and Alice Ngina deliver standout performances that elevate the series. Their chemistry and emotive depth bring a richness that Mo-Faya desperately needs, grounding the story with authenticity and flair.

Despite its uneven performances, the cast of Mo-Faya manages to carry the weight of the story, with some characters shining brighter than others. Together, they create a tapestry of flawed, fascinating individuals that keep you invested in the drama’s twists and turns.

Language

Mo-Faya was performed in Swahili and English. 

Summary

Mo-Faya benefits from its collaboration with the University of Nairobi, which adds a layer of authenticity through the inclusion of students in the cast. This touch of inclusivity is commendable, as is the use of realistic costumes that ground the series in a believable Kenyan setting. The cinematography, while visually appealing, is nothing more than slightly above average.

The pilot episode grabs you by the collar and throws you straight into the action—guns blazing, secrets unravelling, and adrenaline pumping. It’s a thrilling start that sets the stage for what feels like a rollercoaster of crime and drama. But just when you’re ready to strap in for the ride, the series hits a speed bump. As the story shifts gears to focus on character development, the thrill fizzles out, leaving you wondering, “Wait, where’s the fire?”

Drama, at its core, relies on characters discovering new information and reacting to it in unexpected ways. Unfortunately, Mo-Faya offers little in terms of surprise. The twists are predictable, and the characters’ reactions feel formulaic. The audience can often foresee major plot points, such as betrayals or hidden alliances, long before they unfold, stripping the series of any real suspense.

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Timothy’s hacking scenes, a potential highlight, fall flat due to unrealistic depictions of technology. The screens and setups feel like a far cry from modern hacking realism, pulling viewers out of the immersion.

The narrative suffers from disjointed pacing, particularly in episodes four through six. Major gaps in character development make sudden shifts in behaviour jarring and confusing. For instance, some characters undergo abrupt transformations without any clear motivation, while others, like Paul, inexplicably vanish despite being central to the plot. These inconsistencies leave viewers struggling to connect with the story.

Adding to the structural issues, the last episode disrupts its own tension with a poorly timed flashback. Just as the police drama reaches a peak, the flashback slows the pacing, detracting from the finale’s impact. The lack of focus across episodes further dilutes the narrative, with multiple storylines competing for attention.

Even small details like episode titles could have helped provide a sense of cohesion and identity for each instalment. Without them, the series feels like a loosely connected string of events rather than a cohesive narrative.

While Mo-Faya shines in its authentic portrayal of Kenyan life and its ambitious effort to tell a compelling story, it ultimately falls short due to predictable storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and uneven pacing. There’s potential here, but the execution leaves much to be desired.