Sheila Munyiva

EARLY LIFE

Sheila Munyiva was born on 27 March 1993 in Nairobi, Kenya. She grew up in Nairobi and frequently visited the United Kingdom because her mother lived there. As a child she watched Western shows such as Hannah Montana and has spoken about early feelings of wanting fairer skin and straighter hair influenced by media representation. She was raised in a family of strong women and has cited her grandmother (who raised her after her mother’s passing) as a key influence who encouraged her to be vocal and pursue her goals.

CAREER

Munyiva initially studied toward a career as a news anchor before switching to Film Production. After graduating she honed her scriptwriting skills through masterclasses and worked in production, including commercials and a children’s show. Her breakthrough came in 2018 with the lead role of Ziki Okemi in Wanuri Kahiu’s Rafiki. The film, based on Monica Arac de Nyeko’s short story Jambula Tree, depicts a romance between two young women in Kenya and became the first Kenyan feature selected for the Cannes Film Festival. It was banned in Kenya due to its positive portrayal of a same-sex relationship. Munyiva was initially hesitant about the role but was persuaded of its importance; her performance (praised for its chemistry with co-star Samantha Mugatsia) earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. She was also featured in Vogue UK for beauty looks at Cannes. Subsequent work includes the role of medical officer Anna in the Netflix series Country Queen (2022), a voice role as Shiro in Disney’s Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (2023), appearances in A Merry X-Mess (2023) and other projects, and her theatrical debut as Sarafina in the musical Sarafina! (2019). Behind the camera she has directed commercials in Kenya and has been developing her short film Ngao, inspired by her childhood experiences.

PERSONAL LIFE

Munyiva is a mother who homeschools her child. She volunteers as a mentor for girls at a non-profit school in the Kibera area of Nairobi. She has described herself as versatile, fun, and fierce, and continues to balance acting, directing, writing, and family life.

Sheila Munyiva is recognised as a significant voice in contemporary Kenyan and African cinema, particularly for her contribution to Rafiki, a landmark film that sparked international discussion on representation, censorship, and queer storytelling in East Africa. She continues to work across acting, directing, and writing while advocating for greater diversity in African narratives and mentoring young people.