Likarion Wainaina is a Kenyan filmmaker, director, and cinematographer born in Moscow in 1987. He is best known for directing Supa Modo, Kenya’s most awarded film, and for pioneering Kenya’s first sci-fi TV series, Subterranea. His work has earned international acclaim, making him a leading figure in East African cinema.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Likarion Wainaina Mburu |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 20, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Moscow, Russia |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Filmmaker, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Producer, Actor |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $30,000 and $100,000 |
Early Life and Education
Born in Moscow to Kenyan parents, Likarion moved to Kenya around the age of four or five.
Growing up in Nairobi, he experienced significant hardships, including financial struggles and family instability due to his father’s alcoholism and eventual separation from his mother.
Raised primarily by his mother, the family moved frequently across Nairobi’s neighborhoods, including a challenging period living in Kibera slums, where a church community offered them shelter.
Wainaina’s formal education was interrupted when he dropped out of high school due to financial difficulties.
Despite this, his exposure to diverse communities in Nairobi and his love for cinema, sparked by early experiences watching films like Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master, fueled his passion for filmmaking.
Career
Likarion’s artistic journey began in theatre, joining a church drama group and later the Phoenix Players in Nairobi, where he acted and directed plays including Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Sartre’s No Exit.
Transitioning into film, he started as a gaffer and cinematographer, honing his technical skills on documentaries, commercials, and TV shows.
In 2013, Wainaina launched Kibanda Pictures, his production company. That year, he directed Between the Lines, which became the first Kenyan film screened on an IMAX screen locally and earned him a nomination at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best New Online Media.
His 2015 short film Bait, created during the 48-Hour Film Project Festival, won multiple awards including Best Director and Audience Choice, and was showcased at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, boosting his international profile.
Wainaina’s feature film debut, Supa Modo (2018), tells the story of a terminally ill girl whose village rallies to fulfill her superhero dreams.
Developed through the One Fine Day Films workshop, the film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, receiving a Special Mention.
It went on to win over 50 awards worldwide, including the Golden Dhow at Zanzibar International Film Festival and Best European Film for Children. Supa Modo was Kenya’s official submission for the Oscars’ Best Foreign Language Film category.
Wainaina has directed and co-created several popular Kenyan TV series, including the sitcom Auntie Boss (2014–2017), the crime drama Crime and Justice (2021–2022), the telenovela Salem (2022–2024), and the political drama County 49 (2022).
His work on these series has been praised for its storytelling and production quality.
In 2024, he directed and co-produced Subterranea, Kenya’s first science fiction TV series, which premiered on Showmax. The series explores a psychological experiment gone awry, marking a new genre milestone for Kenyan television.
Personal Life
Wainaina keeps his personal life private, focusing on his creative projects. Growing up in Nairobi’s diverse neighborhoods, especially Kibera, profoundly influenced his storytelling perspective.
He openly discusses the financial and familial challenges of his youth, which have shaped his commitment to authentic African narratives.Net Worth
Likarion Wainaina Net Worth
Though exact figures are unavailable, Wainaina has faced financial challenges despite his critical success.
He revealed that for Supa Modo, he received minimal compensation and no share of prize money.
However, his growing body of work in film and television, along with his production company, suggests a more stable financial position. Industry estimates place his net worth between $30,000 and $100,000.
Filmography
Feature Films
- Supa Modo (2018) – Director
- Wavamizi (2018) – Actor (Motorcycle Mounted Thief)
Short Films
- Between the Lines (2013) – Director
- Bait (2015) – Director
- My Faith (2018) – Producer
- Coachez (2020) – Director
Television
- Auntie Boss (2014–2017) – Director
- Varshita (2017–2019) – Director
- Crime and Justice (2021–2022) – Director
- Salem (2022–2024) – Director
- County 49 (2022) – Director
- Antisocial (2022) – Director
- The Caller (2023) – Director, Producer
- Subterranea (2024) – Director, Producer
Other TV Movies
- Hospital (2014) – Director
- Crazies (2014) – Director
- Uriah (2014) – Director
- Death Nest (2014) – Director
Awards and Nominations
- Berlin International Film Festival (2018): Special Mention, Generation Kplus for Supa Modo
- Zanzibar International Film Festival (2018): Golden Dhow for Best Feature Film (Supa Modo)
- 48 Hour Film Project Festival (2015): Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Film (Bait)
- Durban International Film Festival (2018): Artistic Bravery Prize (Supa Modo)
- European Children’s Film Association (2019): Best European Film for Children (Supa Modo)
- Africa Movie Academy Awards (2015): Nomination for Best New Online Media (Between the Lines)
- Multiple nominations and wins at Riverwood Academy Awards and Kalasha International Film Festival
Likarion Wainaina’s impressive achievements and dedication to expanding Kenyan cinema’s horizons have made him a leading figure in the region’s film industry, continually pushing creative boundaries and inspiring new generations of filmmakers.
