Tides<\/em>, a new Kenyan music romance drama feature written and directed by Reuben Odanga (Mo-Faya, Nafsi<\/em>), is set to premiere at Century Cinemax on 8 August, followed by additional screenings across Century Cinemax locations in Nairobi.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Set at the Kenyan coast,\u00a0Tides<\/em>\u00a0follows Salma and Biko, a musician couple pushed to their limits as dwindling gig opportunities collide with mounting financial pressure brought on by their daughter\u2019s serious medical condition. As survival becomes increasingly uncertain, the choices they make threaten to change their relationship forever.<\/p>\n Tides<\/em>\u00a0stars Sarah Hassan (Crime and Justice<\/em>), Brian Kabugi (MTV Shuga Mashariki<\/em>), Minne Kariuki (Single Kiasi<\/em>) in her feature film debut and South African actor Dumisani Mbebe, known for the Netflix series\u00a0Savage Beauty<\/em>. Sikukuu Hamisi Jumaa (Sultana<\/em>), Zippy Okoth (Nafsi<\/em>), Andrew Muthure (Untying Kantai<\/em>) and Muthoni Gathecha (Boda Love<\/em>) round out the cast.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a world where poverty can strip people of dignity and opportunity, moral choices are rarely black and white,\u201d Odanga says.<\/p>\n Tides<\/em>, he says, was inspired by the realities of relationships between tourists and locals at the Kenyan coast and how they often remain surrounded by judgment, secrecy and moral discomfort.<\/p>\n \u201cWith\u00a0Tides<\/em>, I wanted to explore the human realities behind these relationships and the complex intersection of poverty, desire, power and survival,\u201d says Odanga. \u201cThis film invites audiences to look beyond easy judgments and engage with uncomfortable truths.\u201d<\/p>\n As a music-driven narrative,\u00a0Tides<\/em>\u00a0features original songs created specifically for the film.<\/p>\n For Odanga, music was not an addition to the story but a necessity because \u201cthe story demanded it.\u201d The decision to create original music for the film, however, came after encouragement from award-winning singer-songwriter and actor Silayio, who serves as the film\u2019s music director and composer.<\/p>\n \u201cShe convinced me and I love being challenged,\u201d says Odanga. \u201cI was glad to collaborate with her.\u201d<\/p>\n Known professionally simply as Silayio, the artist has represented Kenya on several international stages, including winning Best Female Artist (East Africa) at the 2005 Kora Awards and competing on The Voice of Holland in 2017, where she finished seventh. Most recently, she appeared on the Dutch singing competition The Winner Takes It All in 2026.<\/p>\n Working on\u00a0Tides<\/em>\u00a0gave Silayio the opportunity to explore musical genres she had never actively engaged with before. \u201cI can feel the growth in skill and confidence in myself from taking on the vision,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n The project also allowed her to combine several of her passions: acting, singing and songwriting.<\/p>\n \u201cI wrote and sang the music from the active perspective of what it would feel like to perform it on camera,\u201d says Silayio, whose acting credits include Odanga\u2019s feature debut\u00a0Nafsi<\/em>, Philit Productions\u2019 comedy-drama\u00a0Untying Kantai<\/em>\u00a0and Maisha Magic\u2019s telenovela\u00a0Kina<\/em>. \u201cThat point of view was inspired by my experience as an actor, and it was fun to explore that intersection.\u201d<\/p>\n Tides<\/em>\u00a0is produced by Winnie Adisa, with Jim Bishop serving as director of photography, Nice Githinji as intimacy coordinator, Shiko Daisy as production designer and Angela Ciruma as head of styling and wardrobe. Odanga and Jaqueline Kalekye serve as executive producers, while Odanga\u2019s Multan Production serves as the production company.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capitalfm.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Minne_Kariuki_Sarah_Hassan_Tides_Still.png\")
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