Mama Kayai reveals she earned Ksh20 per episode on Vitimbi
By Paulette Mboga, March 28, 2026Kenya’s veteran comedian Mama Kayai has opened up about her early days acting on the popular comedy show Vitimbi.
She revealed that she was paid very little per episode during her time on the programme. She shared that the experience shaped her journey in the entertainment industry from the beginning.
The veteran actress, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, reflected on how things were in those early days of her career. She explained how the pay influenced her daily life and family expectations at the time.
She said the payment per episode was only KSh20 during that period. She added that the money would stay with her for a long time because there were few personal expenses. She explained that she was still living at home, and this reduced pressure on her income.
She said, “Nilikua nalipwa shilingi ishirini. Kwa mchezo mmoja per episode. Na hiyo 20 bob ilikuwa haiishi.”
She also reflected on her family situation during that time. She said her father was not supportive of her acting career in the beginning. The situation at home meant she had to balance her passion with family expectations. She explained that this made her careful with how she handled her earnings. Her journey was shaped by both her work and her home environment.
She said, “Unakaa nayo hadi…mimi baba yangu hakupenda hizi mambo za acting.”
Beginnings and family acceptance
Mama Kayai explained that things changed after she brought her father the money she earned from acting. She said this moment played a key role in how her work was viewed at home. After that, she was no longer stopped from continuing with acting. The shift helped her continue building her career without resistance. She said this gave her confidence to keep working on Vitimbi.
“But ile siku nililetea baba yangu hiyo 20 bob, hakuna siku nilizuiliwa ku act.”
She went on to explain how her monthly earnings were calculated at the time. She said she could earn around Ksh80 in a month. She added that in some cases, working for about five weeks could bring up to Ksh100. The pay remained small but steady for her situation. She described it as part of her early career journey.
“Kwa mwezi sasa ulikua unakula 80 bob. Kama ni ya wiki tano, unapata 100.”
She further explained that her living situation made things easier despite the low pay. She said she was still at home and did not have heavy expenses to worry about. This helped her manage her earnings without pressure. She focused on her acting work while living with her parents. The small income still carried meaning for her family.
“Nilikua sawa. Unajua sasa niko kwetu, niko nyumbani kwa mama yangu hakuna gharama yote ilikua inanisumbua.”