Brenda Wairimu (born 3 May 1989) is a prominent Kenyan actress, model, and media personality.
She has been active in the Kenyan entertainment industry since around 2009, steadily building a reputation for versatility, depth, and presence on both television and film.
Early Life & Education
Brenda was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya.
She later moved inland for further studies and attended USIU-Africa, where she pursued International Business Management with a minor in Broadcast Media.
Her academic background laid a foundation for both her understanding of the entertainment business and her ability to navigate media roles.
Career Beginnings
Brenda made her television debut in Changing Times (2009), playing Shareefah, appearing alongside other Kenyan actors in this ensemble cast.
In 2011 she landed a more central role when she was cast as Lulu Mali in the soap opera Mali, cementing her place in the Kenyan TV scene.
She also appeared in the Shuga: Love, Sex & Money series (2012) as the character Dala, a 22-year-old communication student, which broadened her reach across Africa.
Over time, she continued to star in and lead several television series, including Kona, where she played Pamela Oyange.
Film Work & Milestones
On the film side, Brenda has taken several significant roles. She starred as Subira in the 2018 Kenyan drama film Subira, which won her critical acclaim and was selected as Kenya’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards (though it was not nominated)
. She also appeared in Disconnect as Celine and Disconnect: The Wedding Planner (2022), among other projects.
Her role in Subira earned her the Kalasha Award for Best Lead Actress in 2018.
In 2019, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress – Film at the Kalasha Awards for her performance in Best Friends Forever.
Recent & Ongoing Work
In recent years, Brenda has continued to maintain a variety of roles across genres and platforms. She is part of Showmax and Netflix productions (e.g. Subira and Disconnect appear on these platforms) as well as local television dramas.
Public Persona & Personal Values
Though she has played intense roles—often antagonistic (e.g. her role as “Sharon” in the Neema series on Citizen TV, where she is seen as a jealous and toxic neighbor)
—Brenda maintains that these are purely on-screen personas. Off-screen, she describes herself as social, loving, and driven by strong principles of honesty, discipline, and staying true to her values.
She has admitted the challenge of balancing demanding acting roles with her private life, especially because roles may require emotional investment and immersion.
Awards & Recognition
Kalasha Award – Best Lead Actress (Subira, 2018)
Kalasha Award nominee – Best Supporting Actress (Best Friends Forever, 2019)
She also enjoys recognition as a brand influencer and ambassador in Kenya.
Social Media & Online Presence
Here are Brenda Wairimu’s verified or publicly known social media profiles:
Instagram: @brendawairimu_ — she posts about her acting work, behind-the-scenes, personal life, reels and more.
X / Twitter: @brendawairimu — her Twitter / X presence, where she shares updates about media projects.
X (formerly Twitter)
She is also associated with @sharon_neemacitizentv on Instagram in her Sharon role brand context, though this appears to be more character-centric.
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