Award-winning Kenyan actor Isaboke Nyakundi has launched his latest project, a digital series titled Dust. In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Nyakundi discussed the inspiration, challenges, and vision behind the production, emphasizing its relevance for Kenyan youth.
Nyakundi explained that Dust was inspired by the economic struggles that force many creatives to compete for limited opportunities. He described the series as a story of survival, with the pursuit of financial stability forming the core of the narrative. The show follows two main characters, Franco (played by Jeff Omondi) and Morio Ngori (played by Tim King’oo), as they navigate family, relationships, and the daily grind of making ends meet.
The actor highlighted that the series reflects the realities faced by young people across Kenya, focusing on the effort required to achieve success in life. Dust is designed to show the challenges and perseverance needed to thrive in a competitive environment.
Nyakundi chose to distribute Dust online to reach millennials and Gen Z, noting that younger audiences are moving away from traditional media. He also adopted a vertical storytelling format, which is increasingly popular in Asia and North America. The series maintains a traditional TV-style narrative while being optimized for short, convenient viewing during traffic, office breaks, lunch, or moments of reflection before bedtime.
Funding for Dust came primarily from Nyakundi himself, but he credited the cast and crew for the project’s success. He emphasized that the series was a collaborative effort, with the dedication and creativity of his peers playing a key role. “The heavy lifting was done by the amazing cast and crew who gave their time and love. It’s just a product of amazing, whole-hearted collaboration among peers,” he said.
Dust represents Nyakundi’s commitment to telling stories that resonate with Kenyan youth, highlighting everyday struggles while embracing modern digital distribution methods to engage a new generation of viewers.
