Renowned film director Philip Karanja has opened up about his long-standing collaboration with MultiChoice, sharing the journey and success they’ve achieved together over the past nine years.
Speaking at a MultiChoice Kenya event in Nairobi, Karanja revealed that the media company first approached him after being impressed by his work on The Real Househelps of Kawangware (TRHK).
Karanja and his creative partner, Abel Mutua, served as Director and Producer respectively on TRHK. Together, they produced 104 episodes under Protel Studio Production before exiting the show in 2016.
Following their departure, MultiChoice engaged Karanja’s production company, Phil-It Productions, to develop what would become one of DStv’s longest-running series: Hullabaloo Estate.
“I had been in the industry for about a decade before MultiChoice called,” Karanja shared. “We had done a show for another broadcaster, which was later picked up by MultiChoice and performed really well. When that contract ended, they reached out and said, ‘Phil, you’ve done a fantastic job with TRHK. We have a few ideas—would you be interested in producing?’”
That call marked the beginning of a fruitful relationship. Hullabaloo Estate premiered in September 2017 and continues to air to this day.
Karanja surprised attendees by stating that in the nine years he has worked with MultiChoice, he has never been asked for a bribe—a rarity, he noted, in Kenya’s often corruption-riddled business environment.
“Hullabaloo Estate was the first show commissioned by MultiChoice, and it’s still the longest-running. This journey has lasted from 2016 to 2025,” he said. “One thing I truly appreciate is that no one has ever asked me for a bribe. This is Kenya—we tell it like it is. Doing business without shady dealings is hard. But with MultiChoice, it’s purely based on metrics, and that’s why I’ve loved working with them.”
He went on to commend the company for its transparent operations and its significant role in growing Kenya’s creative industry.
“My journey with MultiChoice has been entirely merit-based. They invest in us—they bring in trainers, support our growth, and ensure we meet quality standards in picture and sound. I've learned a lot from them. Wamenilea, in short,” he said, using a Swahili phrase meaning “they’ve nurtured me.”
Looking ahead, Karanja expressed hope that MultiChoice will continue investing in the Kenyan creative sector and commissioning local productions.
“Let’s keep creating. I hope MultiChoice keeps working with us—I still have the energy and creativity. As Phil-It Productions, we’re not retiring any time soon. Even 30 years from now, I’ll still be creating content. That’s the game we’re in,” he concluded.
Watch the Interview Below:
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