Brian Omondi Ogola Genard, professionally known as Brian Ogola, is a renowned Kenyan actor specializing in film, television, and stage performances. Since his debut in 2012, he has built a distinguished portfolio with notable appearances in popular TV series such as Jane and Abel and impactful films including Kati Kati, Lusala, Neophobia, and Poacher, the first Kenyan film to premiere on Netflix.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Brian Omondi Ogola Genard |
| Date of Birth | December 8, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| State of Origin | Nairobi County |
| Partner | Yvonne Kanyi |
| Children | One son (born 2024) |
| Occupations | Film, Television, and Stage Actor |
| Net Worth | $3.5 million |
Early Life and Education
Born on December 8, 1989, in Nairobi, Kenya, Ogola grew up in the Greenfields Estate in Donholm and later Umoja Estate. He was raised in a large family as the second child among fourteen siblings.
He attended Unity Primary School and St. Mary’s School, Yala for his secondary education. During high school, Ogola developed an interest in performing arts, actively participating in church plays and local theatrical productions around Nairobi from 2009.
He initially pursued business and accounting courses at technical institutions but eventually dropped out of law school after two semesters to fully commit to an acting career around 2013.
Career
Starting his career in 2012 after winning an actors monologue challenge, Ogola quickly gained experience with appearances in local TV shows such as Mwangaza, Love 101, Block D, and Lies That Bind.
His major breakthrough came with his lead role as Abel Simba in the soap opera Jane and Abel from 2013 to 2015. In 2015, he starred in the film Kati Kati, which was Kenya’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards and won international film festival awards.
In 2017, Ogola acted in Neophobia, the only African film selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival that year, earning him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the East African Riverwood Awards. That same year, he appeared in the historical theatrical production Too Early for Birds and acted in the film 18 Hours, which won accolades in international circles.
He portrayed Mutua in the 2018 Netflix short film Poacher, which was a finalist in Hollywood’s #Just4Shorts festival and screened at the World of Film International Festival Glasgow. The film earned multiple Kalasha Awards nominations. Also in 2018, he acted in Lusala and featured in television productions like Selina and Crime and Justice.
From 2019 onward, Ogola continued to take on diverse roles, including parts in The System, Pieces of US, Crime and Justice, Second Family, and the ongoing Swahili TV series Selina.
More recent projects include acting in Single Kiasi, a Showmax original currently in its fourth season, and the short film Goat in 2025.
Notably, in November 2025, Ogola announced that he would be stepping back from full-time acting to explore new personal and professional pursuits after a decade-long active career, though he intends to remain involved selectively in future projects.
Personal Life
Brian Ogola is relatively private about his personal affairs but publicly shared in late 2023 that he and his partner, Yvonne Kanyi, are expecting their first child, a son.
Over time, he has expressed evolving views on relationships and marriage, moving from skepticism to being open to settling down. He has also been vocal about the need for fair compensation within the Kenyan acting industry, publicly criticizing underpayment concerns.
Net Worth
Brian Ogola’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $3.5 million (around 500 million Kenyan shillings). This estimate reflects his decade-long career as a prominent actor in Kenyan film, television, and stage productions, including his participation in internationally recognized projects like Kati Kati, Neophobia, and Poacher.
Filmography
Television Series
- Jane and Abel (2013–2015) as Abel Simba
- Pieces of US (2019–2021) as Richard
- Crime and Justice (2021–2022) as Clive
- Selina (2023) as Reagan Mackenzie
- Single Kiasi (2022–2025) as Chris
Selected Films
- Kati Kati (2015) as Anto
- Neophobia (2017) as Dr. Adam Akunga
- 18 Hours (2017) as Mark
- Poacher (2018) as Mutua
- Lusala (2018) as Lusala
- Goat (2025) Short film
Awards and Nominations
Brian Ogola has been nominated for several prestigious awards including Best Supporting Actor at the East African Riverwood Awards and multiple Kalasha Awards.
His films have earned critical acclaim and won awards at international festivals such as Cannes, the Africa Movie Viewer’s Choice Awards, and various film festivals in the US and Africa.
