Before we start, I need to mention three things you should keep in mind before watching this show.
One, it comes from Philip Bresson and Grace Kahaki, the same team behind Kash Money. Yes, the two shows are from the same genre, but this is a totally different show, different tone, runtime, and vibe altogether. Don’t make the same mistake I did- curate your expectations.
Two, despite what the synopsis might suggest, Chocolate Empire isn’t a Kenyan version of the American show Empire.
Three, if you can, watch it in the highest resolution possible. There’s a stark difference in visuals depending on picture quality.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about one of the raunchiest Kenyan shows currently streaming.
The basics
The Chocolate Empire is a Kenyan crime drama. I know how we feel about Kenyan crime dramas, but as I always say, it’s never about the genre, it’s what the storytellers do with it.
The story follows JB Mauzo (Jimmy Gathu), a once-powerful businessman just out of prison. He wants to rebuild what he lost and reconnect with his family. But instead of doing it the “legal” way, he sets up an exclusive escort service (chocolate factory) disguised as a high-end cigar lounge for Nairobi’s elite.
Things spiral when Lily (Ann Muli), a bright but struggling young woman, joins the club to support her mother, unaware of what she’s really stepped into. The show peels back the surface and reveals a darker world full of family drama, naive love, sex, betrayal, friendship, greed, and prostitution.
All the 10 episodes are currently available on streaming on Showmax.
What worked
I really liked the title sequence, sleek, clean with a James Bond feel mixed with a touch of soap opera. It ends with a crisp white title card. As someone who appreciates design, I loved the attention to detail.
One of the defining aspects of the show is its look. Let’s start with wardrobe and makeup. Sanaipei Tande is transformed into a struggling Christian mother who looks like she stepped out of the ’90s, thanks to her wig and outfit.
On the other hand, the “chocolates”, the escorts, are dressed to fully embody their flashy, sexy and provocative roles. But it’s JB’s family where the styling really comes to life.
Jackie Kaboi’s character consistently looks like elegance personified. Her earrings, necklaces, and wardrobe tell you everything about her character. And throughout, Jimmy Gathu is dressed like a character in a Guy Ritchie film. Most importantly, the styling does a great job of visually distinguishing the struggling from the wealthy.
Visuals
Technically, you can see the effort. The cinematography has playful, creative framing. Lighting does a lot of the heavy lifting, club scenes are glossy, dark and predominantly drenched in sensual reds and blues, while church and home scenes are brighter and grounded. Despite these shifts, there's a consistent visual tone through the 10 episodes.
Locations and set design elevate the production. It doesn’t feel cheap. That said, some establishing shots get repetitive, I wish they had more variety.
Story-wise, it’s a slow burn at first. The first two episodes take their time building the world. But once the birthday party episode hits, things escalate fast. The direction is confident, balancing themes like faith, secrets, love, and deception with a strong soap opera approach in the dramatic twists and turns.
The Kiswahili scenes are relatable, and most of the characters motivations are clear, in fact, the show could be described as one big breakdown of a single person’s motivation.
I appreciated how bold the show was in portraying prostitution from the chocolates perspectives. Some of their conversations show just how dark and draining that world can be.
As an Insignia production, the tone swings from serious to campy to sexy/raunchy and back. It flirts with cringe at times but never overstays its welcome. There’s a balance between boldness and vulnerability that allows some performances to really stand out, like Mumbi Maina as Vera. At first, she feels over-the-top, until the mask drops and we see the true character.
Perfomance
I wasn’t fully sold on Jimmy Gathu at first. Honestly, I thought Mwaniki Mageria (who plays a pastor) might’ve been a better fit for JB. But then came episode four, JB’s sit-down with Margaret (Sanaipei Tande), and it all clicked. Gathu walks the line between charm and menace perfectly. The guy is a pimp, let's not sugar coat it, but he is also a struggling dad at home, and he sold that contrast very well.
Sanaipei is believable as Margaret. Her mannerisms are spot on, and emotionally charged scenes, like when she slaps Lily, it feels raw and real. Her dynamism with Angie Magio adds warmth to the show. Their mother-daughter relationship is the show's emotional anchor.
Ann Muli, like Jimmy, has strong presence. She switches between daughter, employee, love interest and something else I can't mention because this is a spoiler free review, seamlessly. Let me put it this way, there are three version of this character, and Ann does a good job balancing the three of them.
Jackie Kaboi is classy, both in look and delivery. Her scenes with Jimmy Gathu capture the dysfunction of a long-term relationship and with Mike (Derek Bbanga). We see a different, still classy version of that character. The family dynamics, father-daughter, mother-son, were fascinating to watch.
Kennedy Musumba and Linda Tyagi’s arcs were some of the funniest and most enjoyable parts of the show. In general, all perfomances are good sometimes over the top but good.
Kenyan
And even with all the glam, this show feels deeply Kenyan. The language, locations, and themes, land rates, prostitution, politicians, relationships, and economic gaps, feel current and relatable.
What really hit me was how it explored friendship and the people we surround ourselves with. JB is surrounded by snakes. From childhood friends like Mike to his own employees. If you are employed or you are an employee you will find moments like that relatable.
One clever touch: the pastries. They keep showing up, in the background, foreground, or as a plot device. It’s hard to explain, but when you see them, you’ll get it. That tiny detail made me feel weirdly at home.
The background music choices are great, not because they’re Kenyan, but because they fit. Especially in scenes tied to introspection or prayer.
What didn’t work
The Kiswahili dialogue flows effortlessly, especially in scenes with Sanaipei and Angie Magio. But the English lines often feel stiff and overly scripted. You can see the writing. Combined with editing that sometimes lingers too long, some episodes feel slower than they should.
Sound is another area that could’ve been better. Dialogue is mostly clear, but some scenes have jarring audio spikes. Some effort went into the sound design, but it could’ve been more polished.
A personal gripe, I don’t like cliffhangers. While the season wraps up most plotlines, there are still a few loose ends. I get it, suspense is part of TV, but in a world where follow-up seasons aren’t guaranteed, I usually prefer full closure.
And while “generic” might be too strong, the story is safe. Yes, I like the hook at the start of each episode, but I wish they were bolder creatively, even with relenting drama this is still like any other soap opera.
Conclusion
Chocolate Empire strikes a nice balance between glamour and realism. It’s raunchy and provocative, but it doesn’t forget its themes. It knows the world it’s speaking to, Kenya. The story may start slow, and yes, the English script and ADR could be tighter, but the performances, styling, and direction carry the show.
Would I recommend this to a foreign friend? Absolutely, with one disclaimer: be patient.
While Chocolate Empire is cool, you know what I’d love to see, generally? A psychological thriller with Ian Mbugua and Nyokabi Macharia, a sci-fi drama, a black and white film noir with Lydia Gitachu. Or an alien invasion musical starring Eric Wainaina and Lorna Lemi.
Crime and drama are great, but I believe there’s more to Kenya than that.
