The entertainment streaming platform, Showmax, is available in numerous countries including Kenya, Benin, Cunha, Seychelles, Denmark, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. It has partnered with CANAL + to further investment in African content and productions to work on and begin airing Kenya’s first original series Crime and Justice.
The series premiered on 22nd February, 2021 on the platform and has thus far won over the affection of viewers across the world. Crime and Justice airs new weekly episodes on Mondays.
Crime and Justice Story Summary
Crime and Justice was created and produced to address societal issues and engrained themes that must be addressed. The series brings back cases and deep events that took place in the country lest we forget their massive impact on the victims. The police procedural and legal drama production has a choice background team of creators, directors, producers, technical team and cast members.
Crime and Justice Cast and Real Names
Casting of the series was intentionally lined up to ensure that the opportunity to showcase Kenyan talent, skill and abilities would be utilized to the fullest. The actors and actresses in the series vary from well-established figures in the industry like Sarah Hassan, Alfred Munyua and Maqbul Mohammed to young and upcoming creatives such as Melvin Alusa and Foi Wambui.
The series directors commented on their casting saying that the production will feature some actors and actresses not seen before in public platforms. Below is a list of some cast characters, their actual names and roles.
| Stage Name | Real Name | Role Played |
| Makena | Sarah Hassan | Detective |
| Silas | Alfred Munyua | Detective |
| DCI Boss Kebo | Maqbul Mohammed | Detective |
| Sokoro | Paul Ogola | Prosecutor |
| Caleb | Brian Ogola | Resident Pathologist |
| Rehema / Riri | Foi Wambui | Father’s Murderer |
| Brayo | Brian Abajah | Witness |
| Abuya | Muhuga Theuri | University student |
| Lola | Serah Ndanu | Lola |
| Peter | Melvin Alusa | High-ranking detective |
| Ambassador Bendele | Chris Kamau | Ambassador |
| Barasa’s lawyer | Justin Mirichii | Defense Lawyer |
| Richard | Fareed Khimani | Drug dealer |
| Solasa | Lucarelli Onyango | Investigative Journalist |
| Barasa | John Sibi Okumu | Powerful politician |
| Judge A | Dennis Musyoka | Judge |
| Dr. Auma | Wakio Mzenge | Psychiatrist |
| Local Reverend | Ruth Mangi | Local reverend |
| Nia | Serah Wanjiru | Nia |
| Cartel leader | Godfrey Odhiambo | Cartel leader |
| Cartel 2 | Charles Agengo | |
| Tina | Patricia Kihoro | Abused housewife |
| Mrs Bandele | Angie Mwandanda | Ambassador’s wife |
| Zera | Dora Nyaboke | |
| Chege | Martin Githinji | |
| Yaro | Koome Kinoti | |
| Abuya S. Mother | Shauya Deegush | |
| Caleb | Brian Ogola | |
| Abuya S. Father | Elavuna Wyclife | |
| Radhika | Kanii Edith | |
| Court Officer A. | Mwamburi Maole | |
| Officer B. | Ibrahim Muchemi | |
| Officer C | Likavo Collins | |
| Officer D | Michael Munyoki | |
| Absko | Cari Wesley | |
| Alim | Andrew Kahenya | |
| Man 1 | Samwel Ng’ang’a | |
| Man 2 | Steve Gitau | |
| Reporter | Felix Peter | |
| Ranger | Nduta Mbuthia | |
| Politician | Kennedy Luyali | |
| Woman 1 | Lucy Nding’u | |
| Woman 2 | Imali camelyne | |
| Woman 3 | Sanaipei Diana | |
| Carwash Attendant | Victor Uty | |
| University Lady | Lorella Jowi | |
| Anya | Angelle Wandera | |
| Ebo | Malik Sekani Wandera | |
| Desk Officer | Dedan Juma | |
| Tonny | Neville Misati | |
| Erik | Elvis Obukowho | |
| Macho Officer | Michael Marubu | |
| Doctor | Claude Juda | |
| Michelle | Angella Mwandanda | |
| Officer E | Brenda Ngeso | |
| Fare Clerk | Duncan Murunyu | |
| Nurse | Veronicah Waceke | |
| Macho Officer 2 | Alvin Olang’o | |
| Bishop | Patrick Oketch | |
| Lira | Sybil Mukandutiye | Flight Attendant 1 |
| Loretta Mbati | Brenda Mwai | |
| Aisha | Gathoni Mutua | |
| Claire | Adelyne Wairimu | |
| Rose | Ellah Maina | |
| Officer Masha | George Mo | |
| Anna | Sandra Wambui | |
| Adimu | Zainab Wanja Aziz | |
| Kioni | Julie Brenda | |
| Flight Attendant 2 | Ann Muli | Flight Attendant |
| Security Guard | Elvis Kanja | |
| Bartender | Simon Waigwa | |
| Hannah | Lucy Njoroge | |
| Mrs Singh | Akanksha Nehra | |
| Mr Singh | Mehul Malde | |
| Vijay | Anant Sharma | |
| Mr Kingada | Lowry Odhiambo | |
| Mrs Kingada | Caro Rita Mutua | |
| Kamal | Malik Mohamed | |
| Mrs Wafula | Florence Nduta | |
| Chris | Ronnie Kariuki | |
| Singh Lawyer | Aseem Sharma | |
| Aarti | Zhara Kassam | |
| Fatima | Maureen Kahihu | |
| Professor Loretta Mbati | Brenda Mwai | |
| Dennis | Moses Mugo | |
| Judge B | Karimi Njagi | |
| Court Officer B | Chris Ogonda | |
| Front Desk Clerk | Jacky Kaboi | |
| Tiffany | Aika Mwachia | |
| Nadia | Diya Vaya | |
| Lodging Manager | Bernard Irungu | |
| Guest 1 | Saada Mohamed | |
| Masked Man | Brian Okubasu | |
| Bailiff | Finnie Wafula |
Crime and Justice Season One all Episodes
Crime and Justice thus far has released five case files in eight episodes addressing varied matters. Each episode features choice casting, a dominant topic under investigation until passing of legal verdict and holds key lessons to pick.
1. Episode 1, Case File 01
The first case file is titled ‘The Mistress’ and is about the killing of Abuya, a pregnant college student who was in an affair with an influential political figure called Barasa. This case was created in bringing to light some of the unfortunate cases the country has experienced involving the murder of young ladies linked with affairs gone sour. Detective duo, Silas and Makena, go in search of justice for the slain girl in a captivating chain of events.
2. Episode 2, Case File 02
The second case file is titled ‘Primal’ and is based on a murder by a girl aged seventeen of her father by stabbing him several times. The intense case featured Foi Wambui portraying Rehema, the accused. This case addressed the stories of women who find themselves on the victim’s end and as Riri says while under interrogation, ‘We are women in a men’s world’.
3. Episode 3, Case File 03
This is titled ‘Pride’ and is about an investigation of a mixed couple’s murder. The detectives led to the deceased lady’s brother, a twisted individual. The case is followed through until a legal verdict is given in a court of Law. This production represented the various characters we have in society and their capabilities. It also highlighted the rates of unconventional relationships acceptability of different groups in society.
4. Episode 4, Case File 04
This is tiled ‘Coked’ and is about investigating a social media influencer’s murder. The circumstances surrounding the case lead the detectives to a drug dealership cartel that has been working under the cover of an apparent talent manger. The talent manager role, Richard, is played by Fareed Khimani. The case was highlighted to address such masquerades in the country luring young people towards crime and the means of handling them.
5. Episode 5, Case File 05
The fifth case file is titled ‘Battered’ and portrays the immense damage and reality of domestic and gender-based violence. Tina, Detective Peter’s wife, is an abused lady who suffers bruising and wounds by her detective husband. The detective duo finds themselves in a position necessitating getting justice for Tina and facing their colleague. This case file portrayed society’s laid-back approach in handling such cases that have become rampant.
Crime and Justice is a worthwhile watch showcasing the fast-paced evolution of Kenya’s entertainment industry. The series is scripted by the brilliant, recognized and experienced Inda Puline, Nero Anthony, Munene Brian, Kevin Njue and Mwihaki Sarah. It is further directed and produced by Adam Neutzsky-Wulff working alongside a fully-Kenyan crew.
