Former Machachari actor Brian Kimaru, popularly known as MaDVD, has opened up about the challenges facing his former co-star Ian Nene, better known as Almasi.
MaDVD said Almasi is currently hesitant to return to Kenya because of the criticism and insults he receives online.
MaDVD made the remarks while appearing on Oga Obinna’s show on Monday, August 25, alongside his former Machachari co-star Sofie.
During the conversation, the former actor was asked about Almasi, who relocated to the United Kingdom after Machachari ended.
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Almasi has attracted attention in recent years for his fashion and personal style, including wearing crop tops and having piercings.
His choices have also made him a frequent subject of criticism from some Kenyans on social media.
MaDVD said the online reaction has affected Almasi’s willingness to come back home.
“That young man, up until now, fears returning home. Because every time he posts, he gets insults,” MaDVD said.
He added that he had personally advised Almasi not to allow online comments to affect his life.
ian_nene//Instagram
‘Stop reading people’s comments’
According to MaDVD, Almasi is strong-willed but should protect himself from the constant negativity that comes with reading comments on social media.
“I told him to stop reading people's comments. I told him reading comments could make him do something silly,” he said.
MaDVD encouraged his former co-star to ignore his critics and continue living his life.
Sofie, who played MaDVD’s on-screen girlfriend in Machachari, agreed with his comments when asked for her view.
“I think MaDVD has said it all,” she told Obinna.
Kenyans urge Almasi to come home.
While some online criticism has followed Almasi's fashion choices, comments under the discussion also showed that he has supporters in Kenya.ian_nene//Instagram
Some Kenyans encouraged the actor to return home and suggested that he should not allow social media criticism to keep him away.
@music._.studio_: “Si arudi tu.”
@sos_peter.ke:“Kenya is full of similar people. Almasi should just come.”
@itsmandela_mugendi:“Tell him we like him here.”
Other users argued that Nairobi has become more accepting of different forms of self-expression and urged Almasi to visit without worrying about online reactions.
MaDVD and Almasi’s Machachari connection
MaDVD and Almasi became familiar faces to Kenyan audiences through Machachari, the popular Citizen TV drama that followed the lives of children and families living in a Nairobi estate.
MaDVD, whose real name is Brian Kimaru, played the character MaDVD, while Ian Nene portrayed Almasi.
After leaving the show, both actors pursued different paths, with MaDVD eventually relocating to the UK.
His latest comments have now renewed interest in Almasi's life abroad and whether the former child star will eventually return to Kenya.
For now, MaDVD's message to his former co-star is simple: ignore the noise and continue living on his own terms.
