DNK International By Our Entertainment Writer
Mama Kayai,is one of Kenya’s most celebrated television actresses and is best remembered for her iconic role as the wife of the late Benson Wanjau “Mzee Ojwang” in the long running KBC television comedy Vitimbi.
Her real name is Mary Khavere, a veteran thespian whose journey in the arts mirrors the growth of Kenya’s television industry itself.
She hails from Western Kenya but she grew up in Majengo,Pumwamu area.
Before rising to national fame, Mama Kayai worked with community institutional theatre groups, sharpening her skills through stage performances and radio drama.
In the group she also worked as a traditional dancer in Majengo.
Her early work exposed her to disciplined acting, teamwork and live audience engagement, which later became evident in her television performances.
Mama Kayai was married to the late KBC radio presenter Saidi Ali Matano
They were blessed with five sons and currently she’s a grandmother mother, though she has always liked keeping much of her family life away from the public eye, choosing instead to let her work speak for her.
Her entry into acting dates back to her days at the Voice of Kenya (VOK), now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), where she joined as part of a creative ensemble driven by the desire to educate and entertain Kenyans.
She was inspired by the pioneering generation of Kenyan broadcasters and dramatists who believed television could reflect everyday African family life with humour and dignity.
Senior producers and fellow actors at VOK played a key mentoring role, encouraging her to develop characters drawn from real community experiences.
Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Mama Kayai, the sharp tongued but warm hearted wife of Mzee Ojwang’.
The character quickly became a household name, and through it, she mastered comic timing, satire and the portrayal of strong African women.
The role significantly shaped her acting prowess, allowing her to balance humour with social commentary in Vitimbi.
When that chapter came to an end, the experience positioned her as one of the most dependable comic actresses on Kenyan television.
Beyond Vitimbi, Mama Kayai appeared in several other television programmes, stage productions and public skits, often working alongside the same ensemble that made Vitimbi a success.
Together, they performed at national celebrations, public holidays and state functions, entertaining ordinary citizens as well as dignitaries, including heads of state.
Their performances helped cement comedy as a respected tool for national unity and public education.
The death of her longtime screen partner Mzee Ojwang’ was a deeply emotional moment that affected both her career and personal life.
Professionally, it marked the end of an era that had defined Kenyan television comedy for decades.
“Personally, it was the loss of a close colleague and creative companion whose on screen chemistry with her had become legendary. Despite the setback,”she told Daily News Kenya-International at one time.
Mama Kayai has remained a respected figure in the arts, admired for her resilience and contribution to the industry.
Today,she stands as a symbol of dedication, cultural pride and the power of television comedy in Kenya.
Her legacy is not only in the laughter she created, but also in how she helped shape local content, inspire upcoming actors and prove that Kenyan stories, told authentically, can stand the test of time.
She has earned numerous accolades.
In 2015 she was awarded prestigious Lifetime achievement during the 6th annual Kalasha awards that recognised her immense contribution to Kenyan television.
In 2018,she was further honored with the Grand warrior award,an induction into the Riverwood awards hall of fame that celebrates individuals who have made a significant impact on Kenya’s film and television industry.
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🗓️ [DNK-International@February 7,2026]
