Cast Bios

Bertha Kangongoi- Tara
Bertha Kangongoi’s background is in journalism. She has worked for various Kenyan and international publications. Resurrect is her first acting role. She met the director at a Nairobi restaurant where she asked her to audition for the role of Tara since the actor cast for the role was no longer available. She got the role and went on to impress the director.

Tara- In the film, Tara is a young woman caught at the cross roads of either supporting her father or the young man she has feelings for. She is also the narrator of Resurrect and links the different stories.

Iddi Magina- Kijana

Iddi Magina’s background is theatre. Besides being an actor, he is also a stage manager at the Phoenix theatre in Nairobi. Iddi originally cast to play Mawazo switched roles when the director could not find a suitable actor to play Kijana.

Kijana- Kijana is young up coming politician who is not sure of himself. He runs for the Kijiji parliamentary seat at the urging of his friend Mawazo and the girl he admires. At home, his grandfather, Babu (played by Kenyan scientist- Philip Osula) is constantly nagging him to go home and offer sacrifice at his mother’s grave. It is a clash of generations.

Clement Arua Argwings – Maneno

Clement Arua is a high school teacher primarily. He auditioned for the role of Gideon but the director cast him as Maneno. Clement did not rehearse much with the rest of the cast since he schedule, as a teacher was tight. In the end, he played to perfection.

Maneno- Maneno is an old politician leading a population of very young constituents. At first, he is very popular, and then during the second elections, when he is not popular he rigs the elections. Things go wrong in different households. Eventually, the villagers decide that killing him is the key to a bright future.

Angel Waruinge- Bibi

Angel Waruinge is an established actor. She is well known as Ms. Morgan in local television show Tahidi high. The director knew from the beginning that she wanted to cast Ms. Waruinge. It was a question of schedule. Eventually everything worked out and Angel was on board as Bibi.

Bibi- Bibi is a frustrated housewife whose husband is abusive and cheats on her. The important thing is that she has access to money that finances Kijana’s campaign during the second elections. After she votes, she meets her husband with his mistress and pours liquid on her. Her husband fearing that she had poured acid on his mistress batters her and she miscarries. Bibi resolves that chopping off his penis is the only way out.

Gilbert Lukhalia – Gideon
Gilbert Lukhalia is also a veteran actor in both TV and theatre. He is part of the Undone Theatre Group and currently acts in Siri a local TV series. Gilbert was among the last people to be cast as the director wanted to be sure of who plays the complex character of Gideon. When she watched a short film that Gilbert directed and starred in, she was sure he was the man.

Gideon- He is a rich man married to Bibi. He cheats on her with Keremensia and makes no apologies for that. Gideon is also prone to hot tempers and in such moments he batters Bibi.

Other Roles

John Mark- A local TV star plays Mawazo, Kijana’s best friend.
Bobby Muga- another local TV star plays Man, Maneno’s right hand man.
Mitch Ruoth Nyangaya- An eleven-year-old TV star plays Mtoto, a young girl who watches as the events unfold.
Tawi Nyangaya- Plays the older Mtoto
Naomi Wanjiru- a local TV and theatre star plays the role of Upendo, mtoto’s mentally challenged friend.
Moses Ombuge- Local writer plays the journalist.
Musa Mohammed- up coming film star plays the clinical doctor.
Evelyn Akinyi- up coming theatre and TV actor plays Grace, the elections official
Eva Kerubo-a novice actor plays the Gladys, a woman obsessed with dogs
Sankey Kenga- a local actor plays Bwana, Gladys husband
Pauline and Diana- act as the official party girl