Kenyan singer and actress, Sanaipei Tande, has left her role in the Showmax series Kina. Sanaipei, who plays Nana Tandala, is the lead actress in the series.
Kina is a Kenyan production that airs on the streaming platform Showmax. The series follows the ruthless battle for survival between the wealthy and powerful, and the oppressed employees who work for the rich but get nothing in return in return.
Sanaipei leaves the show after completing 4 Seasons with cumulative episodes of 700+.
She mirrored the role of a tough villain, Nana Tandala, who got her hands dirty by committing murder.
Her exit from the popular series has been confirmed by Maisha Magic Plus, who in a statement thanked Sanaipei for her time on the show.
“On behalf of the Maisha Magic Plus Team, we would like to thank Sanaipei for her sterling performance on the Nana character. We equally wish her all the best for her future endeavors,” said Margaret Mathore, Maisha Magic Plus Channel Head.
Speaking in a past interview, Sanaipei said playing the role was different and exciting.
“I am not a ‘vicious’ person in character as my role depicts. I had to channel characteristics that I don’t really possess; bossy, vicious, malicious, pretentious for example, so I really had to exert myself to be able to win in this role,” she said.
She added that crying and shouting at people and slapping them was the toughest part.
“I don’t cry in front of people and I don’t cry loudly. I also don’t shout at or slap people at all. Pretending to do that in a room full of cast and crew members takes a lot out of me.”
Her exit from the show has left her fans disappointed, with some saying they will stop watching it.
Mbeki Mwalimu is to replace Sanaipei Tande on the role of Nana Tandala on Kina from February 17th.
Mbeki is well known for her roles on ‘Selina’ and ‘Sincerely Daisy,’ among other local shows.
Upon Sanaipei’s exit, Mwatela hinted that behind the scenes, a lot of mistreatment and underhand dealings took place and that actors were not being paid well or on time.
