When Mo-Faya, the gritty, youth-driven Kenyan miniseries, premiered on Netflix in December 2024, audiences were immediately gripped by its raw authenticity and vibrant ensemble cast. Behind that carefully curated cast list stands Gerald Langiri — the man whose discerning eye and relentless commitment to excellence helped bring the world of Mo-Faya to life.
A seasoned casting director, actor, and filmmaker, Gerald Langiri’s fingerprints are all over the DNA of Kenyan cinema. But Mo-Faya was different. This wasn’t just another local production — it was a high-stakes Netflix global release, a watershed moment for Kenya’s film industry. And Langiri understood the assignment.
“Casting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, emotional truth, and making the audience believe,” Langiri says.
A Global Stage, A Local Story
Created and directed by Reuben Odanga, Mo-Faya tells the story of Zawadie and Brian — young lovers whose dreams of a fresh start unravel amidst secrets, crime, and survival. Set across Nairobi’s urban jungle and the dusty, vibrant landscapes of Western Kenya, the show demanded a cast that could embody the layered realities of Kenyan youth.
Langiri led the casting process with surgical precision, balancing local authenticity with international relatability — a non-negotiable when creating content for Netflix’s 190-country audience.
From discovering fresh faces to coaching performances under extreme time pressure, Langiri’s casting choices gave Mo-Faya its undeniable edge. The actors didn’t just “play roles” — they became them.
⚡ Challenges on the Road to Mo-Faya
Casting Mo-Faya wasn’t without its hurdles. In Western Kenya’s Mumias, Langiri had to cast non-actors into believable villagers and supporting characters — often coaching them right before takes. In Nairobi, massive crowd scenes at the University of Nairobi tested his ability to maintain energy, consistency, and camera discipline among dozens of extras.
Then there was the deeper challenge: Kenya’s ongoing shortage of lead actors who meet both emotional range and international screen presence. Rather than settle, Langiri leaned in — searching deeper, coaching harder, pushing actors beyond their perceived limits.
Passing It Forward
This coming Saturday, Gerald Langiri will step into another spotlight — not behind the scenes this time, but in front of students and future industry players at the Mo-Faya Masterclass organized by Multan Production at the University of Nairobi. He will share the unseen realities of casting for international platforms and mentor the next generation of storytellers and performers.
As Kenya’s film industry surges into global relevance, talents like Gerald Langiri are leading the charge — not just shaping narratives on screen, but shaping the very future of African storytelling.
“We are not waiting for Hollywood to find us. We are finding each other — and we’re telling the world we’ve arrived.”
