New comedy TV series in offing

The crew of KenTV, a Kenyan filming and internet broadcaster, has been in Rwanda for a week. Headed by Kimaiti Magiri, the Kenyans were shooting a TV series called, Byadogereye. Its educative element is largely based on petty cases that happen in neighborhoods where people take the law into their own hands.

Saturday, May 30, 2015
Didier and Muniru manhandle Eric in court during the shooting of Byadogereye movie. (Photos byHassan Mutuhe)

The crew of KenTV, a Kenyan filming and internet broadcaster, has been in Rwanda for a week.

Headed by Kimaiti Magiri, the Kenyans were shooting a TV series called, Byadogereye. Its educative element is largely based on petty cases that happen in neighborhoods where people take the law into their own hands.

The comedy series will star famous names in the local movie industry. Didier Kamanzi, Muniru Habiyakare, Safina Kirenga, Eugene Nkota, Jean Michel Ngabo, the vice president of the Rwanda Film Federation, are some of the many stars who will feature in the rib cracking drama.

Speaking to The New Times, some of the stars were enthralled by the idea. Kamanzi admitted that though it was his first time to do a comical role, it was also a great opportunity to have a bunch of actors and actresses in one TV show. "This will be a great show,” he says. All of us (actors) have different fans, so everyone who likes Rwandan films will have a reason to watch,” he observes. He adds that making people laugh as they learn through comedy is a great idea.

For Habiyakare, the concept is an eye opener to Rwandans. "Byadogereye” is a new, creative concept that is inspiring… it’s more hilarious because it is a court session where things are supposed to be serious but we reply in contrast to what is expected of us,” he explains.

The Byadogereye crew with their director Alfy (extreme right in hat) and KenTV MD (3rd left, smiling).

The director of the series, Alfy Mugendi, is also the guy behind the Tabasamu series, a Kenyan TV show that ran for 16 seasons on Citizen TV. He says that the show will propel Rwandan film to greater heights. "It’s my first time to do filming in Rwanda but I’d love to be back and get involved in other projects. This country is simply picturesque,” he says.

Byadogereye is a TV series that is set in a courtroom. As the court is in session, there’s endless drama as both witnesses and the accused tend not to understand what is expected of them. The first episode will be aired on RTV in July.