The MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF) premiered Season 2 of MTV Shuga Mashariki in Nairobi on January 28, 2026, ahead of the season’s broadcast launch on Citizen TV on February 10. MTV SAF said the premiere was held at CCHUB and brought together the show’s cast and crew, creators, media and the foundation’s partners.

According to the foundation, the youth drama will air weekly on Citizen TV from Tuesday, February 10 at 11pm. Episodes will also be released globally on the MTV Shuga YouTube channel from Wednesday, February 11, expanding access beyond Kenya.

The return of the series is part of a wider trend in Kenya’s media sector where broadcasters and producers are increasing investments in locally relevant formats that can be distributed across both free-to-air television and digital platforms. Citizen TV remains one of the country’s largest broadcasters by audience reach, and the show’s availability on YouTube positions the production for regional and diaspora consumption while offering additional channels for audience engagement.

MTV SAF said Season 2 features returning cast members Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Juliebrenda Nyambura, Fridah Mumbe, Renee Gichuki and Mwende King’ori, with Brian Kabugi returning in what the foundation described as a major role. The new season also introduces Vanessa Okeyo Aika, Marima Wanjiru, Natalia Kyalo, Jenny Muigai, Amalie Chopetta, Beatrice Kamuyu, Eunice Kamau and Tanzania’s Talie Gray.

In a new addition to the franchise, MTV SAF said Season 2 will be accompanied by an original soundtrack titled ‘25Flow’, developed as a standalone creative asset alongside the series. The foundation said the project spotlights Kenyan artists and songwriters led by music producer SoFresh, and that the music will be woven into the show’s storyline and film.

The premiere event was hosted by Miriam Bishar, who also stars in the series. MTV SAF said attendees were given first listens to music from the 25Flow project and participated in interactive panels on the production process and the research approach behind the show’s storytelling.

Season 2 is set at the fictional Enkare University and focuses on youth issues including consent, identity, ambition and the role of technology and social pressure in decision-making. MTV SAF said the season tackles themes such as viral fame, body autonomy, toxic masculinity and sexual violence, with storylines following interconnected characters as “secrets unravel, friendships are tested and justice emerges as a powerful rallying cry.”

On production, MTV SAF said the new season marks a partnership with She Moves Africa Films, a women-led production company founded by producer Dina Mwende, who takes on the role of Series Producer after serving as Associate Producer in Season 1. The foundation said Janet Chumbe joins as a new director, alongside returning Kenyan directors June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba and Likarion Wainaina, with cinematographer Enos Olik also returning.

For Kenya’s creative economy, the project highlights continued formalisation of TV production pipelines—spanning writing, directing, music composition and post-production—while creating paid opportunities for local talent. The release strategy also reflects the growing importance of multi-platform distribution for Kenyan screen content, as producers seek both local viewership and international visibility.

MTV SAF said MTV Shuga Mashariki is part of the broader MTV Shuga franchise and that its storylines are informed by local, youth-centred research. The foundation said the series is designed to integrate sexual and reproductive health messaging into storylines reflecting young audiences’ lived experiences.

MTV SAF said the season will begin airing on Citizen TV on February 10, with YouTube releases following from February 11, setting the next milestone for audience uptake and digital performance in the weeks after launch.