Eugene Mbugua (born 5 June 1986) is a Kenyan television producer. He is known for creating the shows Young Rich and producing reality shows like Sol Family, Being Bahati and The Real Housewives of Nairobi.
Eugene Mbugua | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 June 1986 |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Education | United States International University-Africa |
| Occupation | Television producer |
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Organization(s) | Documentary and Reality Television Limited |
| Notable work | Real Housewives of Nairobi |
Early life
editMbugua attended Upper Hill Boys High school in Nairobi, Kenya. In high school he was part of a student-owned canteen, which offered break snacks.[1] After high school, Mbugua was an extra on the local television show Inspekta Mwala, which aired on Citizen TV. He was also a boom-swinger on local television shows Makutano Junction which aired on NTV station and Machachari on Citizen TV.[2] He attended the United States International University-Africa (USIU), Nairobi where he pursued a Bachelor's in Television Production and Print Media.
Television producer
editThrough his company, Documentary & Reality Television Limited, Mbugua has produced several television shows in Kenya.[3] The company's first show, Young Rich, was bought by the Kenyan local television station, K24. The show premiered in 2013.[4] Mbugua became the youngest producer with a television show in Kenya.[5] He also produced the show Food of Kenya, which aired on KTN. The show showcased Kenyan local foods and traditions as well as dance, culture and traditions.[6] In 2016, Mbugua produced the show Our Perfect Wedding which aired on Showmax. The show showcased weddings in Kenya.[7] In 2018, Mbugua produced Being Bahati, a reality show on Kenya musician Bahati and his family. It was the first Kenyan celebrity reality show. In 2020, Mbugua also produced the reality show Sol Family. The show followed the lives of Kenya's boy band Sauti Sol and the members of their record label Sol Generation Records.[8] In 2020, in collaboration with the Kenya Film Association, Mbugua produced Concert Nyumbani. The televised event showcased performances of different Kenyan artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aired on different local TV stations including K24, KTN, NTV, KBC and Switch TV.[9] Mbugua also produced the reality show Our Love, based on Kenyan musicians Nameless and Wahu. The show aired on Showmax on 24 May 2021.[10] He also produced Kyallo Culture, which aired in 2022. Eugene also produced The Real Housewives of Nairobi, an international installment of The Real Housewives, which aired in 2023.[11]
Other Business Ventures
editMbugua also owns Number 7, a nightclub in Nairobi.[12]
Awards and Recognitions
edit- In 2014, Business Daily listed Eugene Mbugua in the Top 40 Men Under 40 2014.[13]
- In 2014, he won a Kalasha Award in the best editor category for the film Child Hire
- In 2016, Forbes Africa, listed him in the 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa[14]
- In 2017, he was listed in Forbes Africa 2017's class of 30 under 30.[15]
- In 2024, Africapitol named him as one of the 50 most influential executive leaders in Kenya.[16]
References
edit- ^ Chebet, Terryanne. "Kenya's Early Adopter In Showbiz On The Next Big Disruption". Forbes Africa. Forbes Africa. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Matiko, Thomas. "Millionaire producer: I'd never put money in film". NATION. NATION. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Opondo, Agnes. ""I Love Telling People Stories." Eugene Mbugua Shares On Being An Executive Film Producer". KENYANVIBE. KENYANVIBE. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Maina, Njeri. "Telling African stories that sell – Eugene Mbugua started with a small canon camera". People Daily. People Daily. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Omondi, Ian. "PROFILE: Eugene Mbugua Talks Creating 11 TV Shows And Being A Renegade". Citizen Digital. Citizen. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Ngina, Fay. "Are you ready for Foods of Kenya Season 3 returning on KTN Home?". The Standard. The Standard. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Oruta, Brian. "The best of Eugene Mbugua on Showmax". The Star. The Star. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ eDaily Reporter. "Sauti Sol, Eugene Mbugua Announce The Second Season Of Sol Family". Citizen Digital. Citizen. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Kenya Film Commission. "Kenya Film Commission And Eugene Mbugua Announce Concert Nyumbani, The Biggest Entertainment Event On Kenyan Televisio". Kenya Film Commission. Kenya Film Commission. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Ngigi, Elizabeth. "Eugene Mbugua: It took two years to persuade Wahu and Nameless to film reality show". Nairobi News. Nairobi News. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Milimo, Dennis. "Meet the prolific producer behind The Real Housewives of Nairobi". mpasho. mpasho. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Mwangi, Denis. "How I lost over Sh10 Million after investing in a bar - Eugene Mbugua". Pulse.live.co.ke. PULSE. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ Business Daily. "Top 40 Men Under 40 2014: How we picked the winners". Business Daily. Business Daily. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ Mfonobong Nsehe, Mfonobong Nsehe. "30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa 2016". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Mangena, Ancillar. "Meet 2017's new class of 30 under 30". Forbes Africa. Forbes Africa. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ KENYANVIBE. "FILMLulu Hassan, Eugene Mbugua Named Among 50 Top CEOs In Kenya". KENYANVIBE. KENYANVIBE. Retrieved 22 May 2024.