Interview by Beatrice Ndung’u

Actress and Model, Lizz Njagah was born and bred in Nairobi, Kenya. She discovered her passion for acting in Primary school and was involved in many original school productions. She began her professional acting career after joining the Kenya National Theatre in 2000 and participating in the staging of various plays, including Planet Theatre’s adaptation of Grace Ogot’s novel ‘The River and the Source’ in the lead role of Nyabera. Her dedication on stage earned her an invitation to go on a Nationwide tour with the play, visiting High Schools and Theaters alike across the Country.
During her time @ Phoenix Players, she appeared in many plays including The Musical, Once on This Island, Shakespeare’s Othello and Merchant of Venice, Servant of Two Masters, Kidnap Game, to name but a few. Naturally, her hard work and contribution to the Arts didn’t go unnoticed, landing her a nomination in the inaugural Eve Woman of the Year Awards in 2004.

Tell us a bit about yourself
Where did you grow up? School life? and what you do

I am a town girl, I was born and bred in Nairobi with the occasional visit to my Shagz in Kisumu. I grew up eating nyoyo, mukimo, ugali, rech, etc, and loved every minute of it. One of the things I thank God for when I travel to other parts of the world is that I grew up in Kenya, a place where family values are upheld. Well, then, not really sure about now. I grew up in a family of ten kids; 7 girls and 3 boys. I went to Lavington Primary school, Ngara Girls High school for my form one then moved to Sacred Heart High School in Kiganjo where I sat my KCSE exams. I am an actress. You can catch me on ‘Makutano Junction on Citizen TV, Medical drama€Saints on NTV and Riveting Drama€Noose Of Gold also on NTV

How did you begin your journey to acting ?

Right after high school while I was waiting to go to campus, I went for a Loresho Community Church Concert at the National Theatre and I saw a notice for auditions for the staging of the School set book River and the Source I decided to try out, so I went, I remember it was on a Wednesday, and I got cast as Nyabera, one of the female leads. I had dabbled in acting in High School and in Church but this was the first time I had attempted to do it professionally and I was pretty excited. The play went on to be a great box office success, and I was further contracted to tour Kenya with it, taking it to various schools around the country. After being at the Kenya National Theatre for 2 years, I was discovered by then Managing Director of Phoenix Players, James Falkland, and he offered me the KWAL scholarship, a 2 year intensive course in anything related to acting, directing, producing stage plays. The rest as they say is history.

Tell us about the current projects your working on

I am working on a short film project with a friend, something he wants to expand into a TV series later on in the year. I have also just come off the launch of a film I produced with Alex Konstantaras, Jitu Films and Flick 7 pictures ME, MY WIFE AND HER GURU.  We are in the process of looking at the best distribution avenues available for the film as we would like as many Kenyans as possible to watch it.

Do you have a role model?

My mother, sadly, she passed on when I was only twelve. I really admire the way she balanced career and family. She was a Manager with the Kenya Bureau of Standards and she still managed to give birth to and raise 10 children, not a small fete. If I could achieve half of what she achieved during her lifetime, I would be happy.

Do you see yourself as a role model to other Kenyans especially the youth?

I get many people asking me how to get into the acting industry and I believe those of us who blazed the trail have a duty to pass on the knowledge we gained by our experiences. I think I am a poster child for believing in your dreams, and consistently doing something, no matter how little, towards said dreams every day. No matter where you are, which dead end job you are in, however many people dont believe in you and shoot you down, never quit believing in your dreams. Kenyan youth right now need hope and I believe anywhere they can get it would be a good thing.

 

favorite song? and why?

He Still Loves Me, it was on the soundtrack to Fighting Temptations by Beyonce and Company. We put such pressure on ourselves to be perfect, society puts pressure on us to behave in certain ways, I just love the fact that God loves us despite all the mistakes we make, and do we make them? Yes! So why should we be hard on ourselves for making mistakes€¦ That’s why it is one of my favourite songs, I have sooooo many, I love music. There’s always a song for whatever mood you are in.

Any awards we should know about?

Nominations, Eve Woman of The Year Awards, in Theatre and Arts, 2004

 

If I gave you an elephant where would you hide it?

<p>I wouldn’t hide it, I’d walk around with it for the whole world to see it, I love elephants, navigating through Nairobi traffic might be a problem though.

 

Do you enjoy your celebrity star status?

To be honest, when people recognise me, I get shocked.. Most of the time people think we know each other, like maybe we were in school together or I am a friend of a friend.  Few realise that they have seen me on TV. Someone recently recognised me in South Africa, now that was really funny, I guess they watch Makutano Junction over there too. It helped me a while back to get my passport in two days, so yeah, it has its perks.

If you were given a chance, would you enter Big Brother Africa? And if so, what would be your strategy to win?

Why not? I’d go in there and be myself and hope Africa appreciates that.

What is your favorite daily wear attire?

I love casual wear, jeans and sandals, but then again I jump at any chance to dress up, I love putting outfits together.. when the combinations sometimes doesnt work, I’ve got my sisters who act as my fashion consultants. One of the perks of growing up in a big family, free fashion advice.

Who according to you is the best dressed man and woman in Kenya?

I love anybody who has a different outlook on style, and doesn’t follow regular trends but is true to themselves.. Like anyone who embraces their afro natural hair for instance. That takes guts to do.

Who according to you is the worst dressed man and woman in Kenya?

Anybody who does too much, like trying to follow all the trends at once, I’ve seen a few culprits at some events.. but someone can look at it from the angle that they are trying to be them, at least they are trying..

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be and why?

I don’t know if I would want to trade places with anyone, because, who we are today is a product of our experiences, If I were to step into Nelson Mandela’s shoes right now, I may not end up appreciating the struggle he had to go through to be where he is today. Would I like to be famous and respected, sure.. But would I want to go through the price he paid to be there, maybe not. I love my life, what a lot of people forget is there are no shortcuts.