Veteran actress Mary Khavere, popularly known for her role as Mama Kayai, has revealed that she was paid Sh20 per episode for the series Vitimbi.
Speaking to media personality Alex Mwakideu, she said the amount was worth much more at the time and could buy several things, unlike today.
“Mimi nilikuwa nikilipwa shilingi ishirini kwa mchezo mmoja (per episode). Na hiyo 20 bob haiishi Mwakideu. Unakaa nayo,” Khavere said.
Mary also shared that her father had initially opposed her acting career and had even confronted those who introduced her to acting. However, he changed his mind after she received her first payment.
“Mimi babangu hakuwa anapenda hizi maneno za acting. Na hata aliwaletea shida wale walinifunza. Nakwambia ile siku nilimletea babangu hiyo 20 bob, hakuwahi nizuia kuact,” she said.
The actress added that in a month, she could earn Sh 80. “Kwa mwezi unakula 80 bob. Ikiwa ya wiki tano unapata soo,” she joked, drawing laughter from the host.
The long-running comedy series returned to KBC in 2022 with a fresh look after an eight-year hiatus.
Actors like Mama Kayai continue to appear in the relaunched show, joined by Hussein Yussuf (Bahali Yake Mwenyewe), Scolly Cheruto (Chemasunde), Mary Nzula Munyao (Regina Katunge), and Ole Matope in various roles.
Although legendary star Mzee Ojwang passed away in 2015, the program was revived to keep the spirit of the original series alive.
Kenyans on social media reacted to Khavere’s story with nostalgia.
On Instagram, Anastasia Muema wrote, “Mama Kayai hazeeki,” while another user, Tony, said, “20 bob was a lot back in the day.”