alexa Kenyan movie “Leo” airs in US - Daily Nation

Kenyan movie “Leo” airs in US

Wednesday March 26 2014

More by this Author

A Kenyan movie Leo aired over the weekend at a packed theatre in Dallas, Texas.

The movie which is a brain child of director Jinna Mutune was well received by Kenyans and Americans who gathered to watch the production.

The movie which took Kenyans back to familiar territories in Nairobi was a refreshing break from the local American movies which have been battling for ratings and earnings honours at the US box office.

The story of Leo is told against a backdrop of Metropolitan Nairobi and is a story of a young Maasai boy who is determined to become a super hero despite the obstacles in his way.

Leo the movie at a theatre in Dallas, Texas.

Leo the movie at a theatre in Dallas, Texas.Photo/ANTHONY KARANJA


Trevor Gitonga who plays the character of “Leo” displays the resilience of a child who sees abundance of possibilities in his quest to achieve his lifelong dream.

Leo is Jinna’s first movie which she has directed, written and coproduced in Kenyan. She has over 10 years of experience in the film industry.

The movie also features known personalities who include journalist Jeff Koinange who plays the role of Rugtz, a corrupt wheeler and dealer in the city and businessman Chris Kirubi who stars as himself.

The movie’s promoters in Dallas, Rachel Mbugua and Kobi Kenzo introduced one of the characters in the movie who attended the show.


Conor Ailin Lyons, 14, who plays the role of “Ed,” an American prep-school spoke to the attendees recalling his role in the movie and his visits in Kenya.

He told the movie goers how much he loved Kenya and how different it is from how it is portrayed in the US.

The movie premiered in Nairobi in April 2011 at the Silverbird Theatres, Westgate Mall but debuted in the Kenyan big screens in November 2012.

In December last year, the movie aired in Houston, Texas; Chicago, IL, Atlanta Georgia and Boston, MA