By Eddah Waithaka
From a humble chorus girl to a scene-stealing powerhouse, veteran actor Helen Keli dominates Kenyan screens with two riveting, back-to-back roles that showcase her formidable range.
Keli currently delivers a masterclass in duality for viewers. On Single Kiasi Season 4 (Showmax), she plays Delilah, a scandalous cougar determined to force her younger lover, Ritchie (Kevin Maina), to start a family.
Simultaneously, on Maisha Magic Plus’ Lazizi, she transforms into Bridget, the bitter wife of Mwaniki Mageria’s character, who simmers with years of resentment.
In an exclusive interview, Keli reflected on the challenges and triumphs of her recent work, proving why she remains a force in the industry.
The Ultimate Challenge: A One-Woman Show
Earlier this year, Keli took on one of the most demanding roles of her career, a one-woman show titled Elements, written by John Sibi-Okumu and directed by Wakio Mzenge.
She called the experience both the most challenging and rewarding of her acting life. “Standing alone on that stage, knowing it was all on me to hold their attention, it pushed me in ways I hadn’t imagined,” Keli said.
The role demanded deep personal growth, and she revealed that if she could do it again, she would “dig even deeper” and reach out to women with similar lived experiences to bring even more honesty to the performance.
Theatre’s Thrill vs. Television’s Restraint
When asked to compare stage and screen acting, Keli didn’t hesitate. “Oh, they are worlds apart,” she stated.She described theatre as a “raw, immediate, and alive” art form where the audience’s energy fuels the performance.
“That adrenaline? Nothing compares,” Keli said.Television, however, demands a different skill. “It demands restraint,” she explained. “The camera catches everything, so you have to pull back, trust the stillness, and let the subtle moments do the work.”
While she confesses her first love is theatre, she finds unique joys in the precision of TV work.
Embracing the ‘Cougar’ Role
Stepping into the bold, unapologetic shoes of Delilah in Single Kiasi thrilled Keli. She called the character “the most not-me character I have ever played” and said the experience was “one of the most exciting and challenging” of her career.
“Delilah makes no apologies for who she is bold, confident, and completely in control and I absolutely love that about her,” Keli said.
She credited producers Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson for their support, noting that building a character from such a “different universe” stretched her as an actor in the best way possible.
Building Chemistry with Two Leading Men
Keli lights up when discussing her on-screen partners. She attributes her sizzling chemistry with Kevin Maina to “trust and honesty,” built through openness and listening on set.
Working with Mwaniki Mageria on Lazizi offered a different, but equally rich, dynamic. “Mwaniki brings such maturity and a calm presence… that energy really helped me step deeper into my own role as Bridget,” she said.
As for her Lazizi character, Bridget, Keli believes viewers will love her “elegance, her intelligence, her strength.” She sees Bridget as a strategic “chess player” whose actions will resonate with many who have faced similar struggles.
Creative Influences and Unshakeable Principles
Keli draws inspiration from acting royalty: Viola Davis, Maggie Smith, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren.
She admires their “range, discipline, and dedication,” and the way they “disappear” into every role.While these icons inspire her to take risks, there is one line she prefers not to cross. When asked what she would never do for a role, she stated simply, “Nudity.
Complete, stark nudity, I wouldn’t.” She then laughed, adding, “I think when I played Delilah, I did things I said I would never do.”
A Hilarious Reaction and a Message to New Actors
The audience reaction to her bold Single Kiasi role has been intensely personal. “Oh my gosh the feedback has been hilarious. Honestly, no one in my family has had the courage to say a word about Delilah,” Keli shared.
Her friends, however, have been vocal with their shocked, “Wait, you did WHAT?!”For the next generation of actors, Keli offers straightforward advice: “It doesn’t happen by magic.”
She urges young talent to hone their craft through classes and constant learning, warning, “If you bury it, it doesn’t grow.”
With two compelling characters captivating the nation, Helen Keli continues to prove that her talent only deepens with time, refusing to slow down and constantly redefining what a powerhouse performer can be.
