Kenya has left its mark on African entertainment as Shuga Mashariki secured the Best Writing TV Series award at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in Lagos. This victory marks the third straight year a Kenyan production has triumphed in the writing category. The series emerged victorious against strong competition from Nigeria and Ethiopia in a highly contested field. This accomplishment demonstrates Kenya’s rising influence in scripted television and its knack for crafting stories that resonate with African audiences. It also underscores the caliber of creative writing teams behind Kenyan productions.
The series triumphed against Nigerian entries including The Wives, Our Husband, Baba Oh and The Party, along with Ethiopia’s Addis Fikir and Gizat. Previously known as MTV Shuga Mashariki, the show has evolved while staying true to its youth-focused narrative approach. This recognition at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards solidifies its status as a prominent force in African television drama. Kenya’s showing at the 2026 awards was notable with 12 nominations across categories, though only one award was secured. Nevertheless, the writing award represented a significant accomplishment in a fiercely competitive event.
The AMVCA 2026 nominations revealed Kenya’s broad representation across various categories, indicating steady advancement in film and television production. Kenyan entries included Best Supporting Actress for Shuga Mashariki’s Julie Brenda Nyambura, Best Score for the same series, and Best Scripted Series nods for The Chocolate Empire and Kash Money. Other nominations encompassed Best Documentary for The People Shall, Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) for Sayari and Inside Job, and Best Writing in a Movie for Cards on the Table. Adam to Eve and Bobo received nominations for Best Scripted M-Net Original, showcasing the diversity of Kenyan storytelling across genres. Despite securing just one award, the range of nominations demonstrated substantial industry recognition.
The Shuga franchise has a rich history in African television, originating in Kenya in 2009 before spreading to Nigeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and India. Its return to Kenya in 2025 as MTV Shuga Mashariki signaled renewed attention to East African narratives. The recent rebranding to Shuga Mashariki followed organizational restructuring within its parent company after the Shuga Global platform shifted away from previous partnership models. This transition enabled the series to preserve its identity while continuing to develop socially relevant stories for young viewers. The franchise’s evolution has been crucial to its sustained relevance throughout more than a decade.
Upon accepting the award in Lagos, producer Kevin Njue celebrated the dedication of the writing team. He emphasized how the victory reflected consistent effort across seasons and a commitment to authentic storytelling that connects with youth. He also noted that recognition from such a significant continental platform validated the creative work involved. According to him, the award demonstrated that Kenyan writers can produce content that competes at Africa’s highest level. His comments reflected pride in the team’s ability to blend entertainment with meaningful narratives.
Previous Best Writing TV Series winners include notable African productions such as Volume by Tosh Gitonga in 2024 (written by Mona Ombogo) and Untying Kantai by Philit Productions in 2025 (written by Abel Mutua). The pattern of different productions winning this category underscores the competitive landscape of African television storytelling. It also illustrates how writing quality remains a crucial element in award recognition. Shuga Mashariki’s 2026 victory adds Kenya to this growing list of influential storytellers.
The complete AMVCA 2026 awards showcased winners spanning film, television and digital content. My Father’s Shadow claimed Best Overall Movie, with Akinola Davies Jr taking Best Director for the same film. Acting honors went to Uzor Arukwe and Linda Ejiofor in prominent categories, while To Kill A Monkey and Colours of Fire earned multiple technical wins. Other significant winners included Nigerian Idol Season 10 for unscripted content and Inimba for scripted M-Net original series. The varied winners across regions and genres highlighted the breadth of African entertainment production.
Kenya’s triumph with Shuga Mashariki serves as a testament to the country’s increasing influence in African storytelling. Despite securing only one award from multiple nominations, the Best Writing honor holds considerable significance in recognizing creative excellence. This victory emphasizes the value of investing in talented writing teams and authentic narratives that mirror real social experiences. It also establishes Kenya as a regular contributor to high-quality African television content. As the industry grows, Shuga Mashariki’s success suggests a future where Kenyan productions maintain competitiveness on the continental stage.