Kenyan actress Nice Githinji has made history after becoming East Africa’s first certified intimacy coordinator.
Her certification sets a new professional standard for Kenya’s growing film and television industry.
An intimacy coordinator helps plan and supervise scenes involving intimacy, nudity, or simulated sex.
The role protects actors’ boundaries and helps create a safe, consensual working environment on set.
Githinji’s certification makes her a pioneer in the region. Reports describe her as East Africa’s first certified intimacy coordinator, a milestone that could allow her to work internationally and strengthen safety standards in African productions.
She said the work is important because African stories should be told honestly and respectfully.
“As Africans, we tend to hide intimacy, as if it isn’t a natural part of life,” Githinji said. “But if we’re telling authentic stories, we must show humans in full.
African love is rich, complex, beautiful, and it deserves to be seen with the same care as any other part of our identity.”
Githinji did not begin her career planning to become an actress. She originally hoped to study law or international relations. While in high school, a friend introduced her to theatre, and she joined The Planets Theatre after finishing her final exams. At 17, she was already performing on stage.
“I think I grew to fall in love with acting because it paid my bills,” she said. “But then I just happened to be quite great at it, and it has been a beautiful relationship ever since.”
Over more than two decades, Githinji has worked as an actor, producer, director, voice actor, event host, and curator.
Githinji discovered intimacy coordination while researching art therapy. She later found the Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) platform and began studying its resources online.
She said her own experiences as an actress helped her understand why actors need stronger protection.
“I’ve been active in the industry for a long time. I’ve played the siren, the sexy girl, the homewrecker, the slut, you know, all those raunchy female parts,” she said. “I’ve ended up in situations where I thought I had the power but I didn’t because as an actor, I didn’t really know my rights.”
She trained through a 2024 programme run by MultiChoice Talent Factory and GIZ, led by South African director Sara Blecher, who became her mentor.
Githinji’s early work included the short film Transaction, which was selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2025. She later worked on Tuki? (Tukisonga) and MTV Shuga Mashariki.
“I love it, I love that it’s niche. And I love that I am an advocate for actors,” she said. “My hope is that sooner or later, it becomes the new normal because everyone’s mind, body and soul has to be protected on set, whether cast or crew.”
Her achievement marks an important milestone of artist in Kenya and across East Africa.