From his breakout role in Malooned! to critically acclaimed performances in From a Whisper, Nairobi Half Life, and Subira, Godfrey Odhiambo has become a defining voice in Kenyan cinema.
Now, he returns to the screen in Reckless, a youth drama where he plays Edward Sonoko, a father navigating corporate warfare and the fallout of his sons’ impulsive choices.
But for Odhiambo, this role is more than just another credit. It’s personal.
“Edward Sonoko is calm, composed, and always grounded. Honestly, I connected with him on such a personal level,” he shares. “I’m a father of two boys, just like Edward. My sons have so many similarities to Edward’s boys. It was like art imitating life.”
A New Era for Kenyan Film
Reflecting on his journey since Malooned!, Odhiambo says the biggest shift in the industry has been the audience.
“These days, Kenyan shows are being celebrated like never before. It’s incredible to see how Kenyans have stepped up to support, enjoy, and champion our own talent. For actors and filmmakers like me, it’s such a relief to know we have a homegrown audience rooting for us.”
Building Family Tension On Screen and Off
In Reckless, Odhiambo stars alongside Brian Abajah and Sammy Okore, whose performances bring the Sonoko family’s emotional turbulence to life.
“The story itself gave us so much to work with,” he says. “Then, of course, experimenting as actors to find what worked best for the story and for us was key.”
He adds a personal note about his co-star:
“Brian, though, he’s something else. He reminds me so much of my younger self from the Malooned! days. Off set, we’d have these deep conversations, asking him the kind of questions I would have asked myself at his age.”
Stage vs. Screen: The Actor’s Craft
Having worked in both theatre and film, Odhiambo draws a clear line between the two.
“When you’re preparing for the stage, your performance is out there. For the screen, your performance is in here,” he says, gesturing inward. “Stage is one take. Screen gives you a few. But stage is more challenging and more fulfilling.”
What to Expect from Edward Sonoko’s Journey
Without giving away spoilers, Odhiambo hints at a powerful arc for his character.
“Edward Sonoko is a character the audience is really going to love. They’re in for a journey and a treat moments they don’t expect, twists and turns they won’t see coming.”
Advice to Young Actors: “Respect the Craft”
To aspiring actors, Odhiambo offers heartfelt guidance:
“Treat acting as a sacred craft. Don’t rush it. Before you even think of marketing yourself, take the time to prepare. Master your skills before you put yourself out there.”
“Learn. Grow. And most importantly, be disciplined. Your willingness to learn, your openness to being corrected, and your ability to adapt should set you apart. Respect the craft, and it will reward you in ways you can’t imagine.”
Beyond the Screen: Life, Hobbies, and What’s Next
When he’s not filming, Odhiambo enjoys family time, working out, and catching up on his favourite shows.
“Currently, I’m watching Jiji and Faithless on Showmax,” he says. “And yes, I can dance. I love to swim too. As big as I am, yeah, I can swim.”
His go-to comfort food after a long shoot?
“Wet fried kienyeji chicken with ugali and kachumbari.”
And what’s next?
“There are a couple of things in the pipeline, but the immediate one is that I think I’m going to do a stage play. I’m preparing for that right now.”
Final Word: A Message to His Younger Self
“Challenge yourself to be a better version of you. The only competition you have is the older version of you.”
Reckless is now streaming on Showmax. Don’t miss Godfrey Odhiambo in one of his most personal and powerful roles yet.
