From chorus girl to commanding lead, Helen Keli has carved out a legacy that spans decades of Kenyan theatre and television.
The Nairobi-born actor, who trained under the late James Falkland, has graced stages in classics like Pirates of Penzance and The Merchant of Venice, and recently starred in Elements, a one-woman show written by John Sibi Okumu and directed by Wakio Mzenge.
Her screen credits include Changes, Selina, Second Family, and the upcoming Kenyan-German film Mercy. But it’s her current dual roles that have fans talking.
On Single Kiasi Season 4 (Showmax), Keli plays Delilah, a scandalous cougar determined to pressure her younger lover, Ritchie (Kevin Maina), into starting a family. On Lazizi (Maisha Magic Plus), she transforms into Bridget, the bitter wife of Mark (Mwaniki Mageria), ready to unleash years of resentment.
In an exclusive interview, Keli reflects on her latest roles, creative influences, and the art of transformation.
On Elements: A Solo Journey
“Elements was the most challenging and rewarding experience of my career,” she says. “Standing alone on stage, knowing it was all on me to hold the audience, it pushed me in ways I hadn’t imagined. I grew as a performer, a storyteller, and a woman.”
Would she do it again?
“I’d ask more questions. I already ask a lot, but I’d dig deeper. The story was about a woman’s pain, and next time, I’d reach out more and talk to women who’ve lived through similar experiences to bring even more honesty to the performance.”
Theatre vs TV: Two Different Worlds
“Theatre is raw, immediate, alive. There’s no hiding, no second take. You feed off the audience’s energy and live every moment. That adrenaline? Nothing compares.”
“TV is a different beast. It demands restraint. The camera catches everything, even the tiniest flicker of emotion. You have to trust the stillness and let the subtle moments do the work.”
Her verdict? “My first love is theatre, but TV has its own magic.”
Playing Delilah in Single Kiasi
“Delilah is the most not-me character I’ve ever played,” Keli laughs. “She’s bold, confident, and unapologetic, and I love that about her. But getting there took work. Thankfully, I had so much support from Grace Kahaki and Philippe Bresson.”
“Delilah is from a completely different universe. Playing her stretched me in the best way possible.”
Chemistry Onscreen: Kevin Maina vs Mwaniki Mageria
“My chemistry with Kevin comes from trust and honesty. We built that connection on set through openness and presence.”
“With Mwaniki, it was a whole new experience. He brings maturity and calm to his role, which helped me step deeper into Bridget. Our dynamic is different but equally rich.”
Bridget: Love Her or Hate Her?
“Viewers will love her elegance, intelligence, and strength. She’s a chess player, strategic and layered. I think many women, and even some men, will resonate with her choices.”
“And if she doesn’t play fair? I’m curious to see how audiences respond.”
Creative Influences
“I love Viola Davis, Maggie Smith, Meryl Streep, and Helen Mirren. Their range, discipline, and emotional honesty inspire me. You can feel the years of hard work behind every performance.”
Off-Day Rituals
“I love quiet time outdoors. And cooking, especially roasting. Roast vegetables, roast chicken, and roast steak. If it’s roasted, it’s my best.”
Advice to Young Actors
“To be young now is amazing. The opportunities are so much more than when we started. But it doesn’t happen by magic. You must put in the work. Hone your craft. Take classes. Never take a day off from learning.”
Feedback on Delilah
“Oh my gosh, the feedback has been hilarious. No one in my family has said a word. I think they’re still processing.”
“My friends? Very vocal. Lots of ‘Wait, you did WHAT?’ But the reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone keeps asking, ‘When is the next season?’”
“And the irony that her son is named Samson? That’s just perfect.”
What She’ll Never Do
“Nudity. Complete, stark nudity. I wouldn’t. I’d like to think I wouldn’t. But playing Delilah? I did things I said I’d never do.”
