All You Need to Know About Anita Wawuda
Calm, collected, and quietly fierce, Anita Wawuda is stepping into her most powerful role yet. She plays Nimo, an undercover detective on a mission to dismantle a deadly syndicate in Mizani, the gripping crime drama on Showmax and Maisha Magic Plus.
From impromptu auditions to high-intensity scenes involving guns, stunts, and deception, Anita opens up about her journey and why playing a cop feels like destiny.
Who is Anita Wawuda?
Anita describes herself as calm and easy-going, but deeply passionate about acting. She balances her creative career with marketing, her professional background.
“I’ve always wanted to play a cop,” she says. “That’s something I’ve carried with me for a long time.”
In Mizani, her character Nimo works as an undercover DCI officer. A governor recruits her to quietly investigate a powerful criminal syndicate. To get close, she targets Solo, played by Jack Mutinda, and pretends to fall in love with him.
“It’s all strategy. It’s work. And it gets very intense,” she explains.
Reuniting with Familiar Faces
The series also reunites her with Keith Chuaga, her co-star from Jiji. This time, their dynamic shifts completely.
“In Jiji, he was my husband. It was all romance,” she says. “In Mizani, he’s my boss. I report to him. No softness just orders.”
The shift felt strange at first, but they quickly adapted. “We found our rhythm, and it worked beautifully on screen.”
A Role That Felt Like Destiny
Anita did not initially audition for Nimo. She had gone in for a different role before producers called her back.
“They told me to audition for Nimo, and I nearly screamed,” she recalls.
The role immediately clicked. “I’ve always dreamed of playing a cop. In another life, I’d be a DCI agent.”
Behind the Scenes of Mizani
One of her standout moments comes when Nimo drops her undercover identity.
“She reveals who she really is, pulls out her badge, and steps fully into DCI mode,” Anita says. “Those scenes made me feel powerful.”
To prepare, she immersed herself in research. She studied female DCI officers and FBI agents, observing how they speak, move, and carry themselves. She also spoke to real-life officers to better understand the mindset.
Action, Stunts, and Screen Chemistry
Working alongside Jack Mutinda brought a physical edge to the role. His stunt background helped shape the action scenes.
“I’ve had some training with weapons, so I understood the basics,” she says. “That made the scenes feel natural.”
Life Beyond the Screen
Originally from Mombasa, Anita now lives in Nairobi, where she continues to grow her acting career.
When she’s not on set, she keeps things simple. “You’ll find me at the gym or in my kitchen cooking,” she says. Her favourite dish? Seafood pasta.
