He is best known for playing Kaka in Sultana, a role that earned him a devoted following and a nickname that has stuck long after the cameras stopped rolling. But Dennis Humphrey, the man behind the character, is quietly building something far bigger than fame.

The Mombasa-born actor and filmmaker returns to the small screen as Malo in Mizani, a crime drama currently airing on Showmax and Maisha Magic Plus, alongside Michael Saruni and Keith Chuaga. Produced by Daudi Anguka, the show marks another chapter in a career that has always been about more than acting.

Humphrey won two Kalasha Awards in 2021 for his debut short film Fikirini, which he wrote and produced. “Winning two Kalasha Awards in 2021 was surreal. I was still in my mid-20s. I honestly didn’t expect it. Not two awards. Not that reception,” he said.

Off-screen, writing came first. He has spent five years crafting scripts for major Kenyan productions, a discipline he credits for shaping how he approaches acting. “Through writing, I discovered the many dimensions of acting. That curiosity pushed me to try acting for real,” he said.

On the future of African storytelling, Humphrey is pointed. “There are powerful narratives in our communities that haven’t been told yet. Even our historical stories, like Kaya Bombo or Nabongo, remain unexplored on screen. We don’t always need to invent worlds. Sometimes we just need to look around,” he said.

Away from set, he unwinds by watching films. His all-time favourite show is Snowfall. His pick for best Kenyan film is Nairobi Half Life. On set, he describes Michael Saruni as the most sociable presence and Reinhard Inzai Bonke as quietly, unexpectedly hilarious.

New episodes of Mizani air every Wednesday on Showmax and Saturdays on Maisha Magic Plus.