Though she might come off as soft-spoken and reserved in person, actress Jackie Kaboi’s career is anything but quiet. With over a decade in Kenya’s film and television industry, she has steadily risen to become one of the most formidable talents of her generation.
Her breakthrough came in 2014 with the award-winning film Tamed, where her gripping performance earned her a Kalasha Award and introduced her to a national audience.
Just two years later, she took home the Best Actress trophy at the Riverwood Academy Awards for her role in Kibanda Pictures’ Bait.
Since then, she has been a staple on Kenyan screens, featuring in acclaimed shows such as ‘Single Kiasi’ on Showmax and ‘Nyumba 10′ on Maisha Magic.
Now, she returns in her most ambitious role yet as Marie Mauzo in the sizzling Showmax Original ‘The Chocolate Empire’, where she stars opposite veteran actor Jimmy Gathu.
“It was the role I’d been waiting for,” she says. “A powerful woman, a leading cast member it was everything I had dreamed of.”
In the series, her character grapples with betrayal, secrecy, and survival. As Marie, she plays a woman balancing the shame of an affair with her husband’s longtime friend while her husband serves time behind bars.
To bring Marie to life, Kaboi tapped into years of experience, including workshops from her time on Salem. She also drew inspiration from South African actress Khanyi Mbau’s performance in The Wife.
“I wanted Marie to stand out,” she says.
“Even the smallest things like facial expressions and body language had to feel authentic and completely different from anything I’ve done before,” she says.
Despite her introverted nature, she has learned how to navigate the busy, often chaotic environment of film sets. “A lot of actors are introverts,” she says.
“But when you’re on set, you’re with family. People get it. When I need a break, I put on my headphones and let music work its magic.”
Her current playlist includes God Will Work It Out by Maverick City Music and songs by Watendawili and Jonathan McReynolds. “Music keeps me grounded,” she says.
Having been in the industry for over ten years, she is reflective about the lessons she’s learnt.
“Every production teaches you something different,” she said. “Some teach patience, others push you to your emotional limits. But all of them demand commitment.”
She emphasised the hard work behind the scenes “Waking up at 5am, being on set for hours, sometimes until 10pm is no joke. Without discipline and the right commitment, you simply can’t keep up..”
For the new generation of content creators, she has one word of advice, just start.
“Content creation has changed the game, even if all you have is a phone, use it. Don’t wait for perfection, just create. That’s how the numbers, and eventually the opportunities, come.”
As for what’s next, she has big plans for 2025, including a return to one of her personal passions which is hiking.
“I’ve fallen behind, but I’m determined to see all the waterfalls in Africa,” she said. “Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls is at the top of my list.”