From Prayers to Prime Time: How Okoyo Isaac Landed His Breakthrough Role on Lazizi

Every so often, a new face graces our screens and instantly makes us sit up and take notice — someone whose passion, humility, and raw talent remind us why we love Kenyan TV.

That’s exactly what 23-year-old Okoyo Isaac brings to the table. From moving across counties as a child to commanding the screen in Reuben Odanga’s latest telenovela Lazizi, Okoyo’s story is a beautiful blend of faith, hard work, and a mother’s unwavering belief.

In a world where landing a major TV role can feel like chasing lightning, Okoyo beat out nearly a thousand hopefuls to secure his place as Shaffie — a role that now positions him as one of the most promising rising stars in Kenya’s entertainment scene.

In this exclusive interview, Okoyo opens up about his journey, the prayers that paved the way, and what it’s like working alongside screen legends like Jacky Nyaminde, Mwaniki Mageria, and Reuben Odanga himself.

Newcomer Okoyo Isaac speaks on beating thousands for a role on Reuben Odanga’s latest telenovela, Lazizi

Who is Isaac Okoyo?

Well, Okoyo is a 23-year-old actor and creative with an unshakable love for storytelling, whether it’s on stage or on screen.

Right now, I am playing Shaffie in Maisha Magic Plus’s latest telenovela Lazizi, alongside legends like Mwaniki Mageria and Helen Keli. My character, Shaffie, is the illegitimate son of Mageria’s character — and my on-screen mother is played by the incredible Jacky Nyaminde.

Before Lazizi, fans may have spotted me in Bwana Chairman on Maisha Magic Plus, or in a beautiful project called The Canvas. I have also graced the stage in several plays, including Red Flags by Heartstrings Entertainment.

Where did you grow up?

I have had quite the nomadic childhood — I grew up in so many counties across Kenya. I started off in Nairobi, then moved to Eldoret from Class Three to Six. After that, I headed to Kisumu for Class Seven, Siaya for Class Eight, and finally to Kisii for high school. I went to Nyamachi High School. And after Form Four, I found my way back to Nairobi, where the dream really started taking shape.

But honestly, Kisii was where everything changed for me. That’s where I joined the school drama team — a group that, up until then, had never made it past the county level. Once I joined, things shifted. We went miles beyond expectations, and in Form Two, I even won Best Actor. That was the moment I knew — this is it.

From then on, I started writing scripts for the drama club and sharing them with my drama patron, Mr. Osoro. He believed in me, pushed me, and that’s really where it all blew up. That’s where Isaac Okoyo, the actor, was born.

You auditioned for this role against several young creatives. What was your reaction when you got this gig? 

I auditioned against what felt like a small army — nearly a thousand actors — all hungry for the same spot. So yeah, I knew this was a tough one.

But here’s the funny part — my mum believed in me way more than I believed in myself. Every morning before I went for auditions, she would ask me to pass by her office so she could pray for me. Even after the callbacks, she would joke around, pretending to be one of the producers from Multan. She would pick up her phone and say, “Okoyo, this is Multan offices calling to inform you that you’ve gotten the role.” We would both laugh — not knowing that her words were about to come true.

Then came June when the producers called to tell me I had landed the role. That moment? Unforgettable. The rest, as they say, is history — and God, of course.

Honestly, I give it all to Him. Last Christmas, I went to church and told God I wanted a life-changing opportunity. I wrote it down, prayed about it, and believed it would happen. And here we are. Manifestation is real — I’m living proof.

Who inspired you to pursue a career in acting?

My dad — Mr. Isaiah Okoyo. Ever since I was a kid, he would always ask, “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?” And my answer never changed: “An actor. I just want to be on TV.”

He saw that passion in me early on and completely tapped into it. He even made sure we had DStv, and I had the full Maisha Magic lineup with Selina and Sue na Jonnie being some of my favorites., I was so obsessed that one day, I broke our TV trying to “talk” to the actors.

Besides my dad, Chadwick Boseman. His final performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom hit me hard. The emotion, the depth — it felt like a masterclass in storytelling. When I went in for my Lazizi audition, I channeled that same intensity he had in his monologues.

How is it working with such legends?

Honestly, working with Reuben Odanga feels like inside a dream come true. The man is an enigma. For Reuben, all he ever asks from you as an actor is simple: trust him.

Then there is Wilbroda — or as everyone knows her, Jacky Nyaminde. I mean, this is someone who we grew up watching on Papa Shirandula. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day, I would not only share the same screen with her but that she’d actually play my mum. And she’s such a warm, loving soul. Every time she sees me on set, she smiles and says, “You look like my son.” There is this deep, natural bond between us — it makes our on-screen relationship feel so real.

And Mwaniki Mageria — what a legend! He’s such a fun, grounded soul. One thing I absolutely admire about him is that he always gives flowers where they’re deserved. He pushes you to be your best.

How did you connect with the role of Shaffie?

Shaffie is my guy. This guy loves cooking. Shaffie is outgoing. Shaffie does what he believes is right and for him against all odds he will pursue his passion. What he feels is driven to.

I felt and I still feel that is a very close part to me because that’s who Okoyo is. I am outgoing. Okoyo loves cooking. Those were some of the traits that I really saw being natural anytime I was doing Shaffie.

If you were to choose, do you prefer theatre or film work?

Honestly, I can’t pick just one because both theatre and film have shaped who I am as an actor.

Theatre, for me, is like the gym for acting — it trains your discipline, endurance, and presence. It’s where you sweat, stretch, and sharpen your craft. Every performance is live, raw, and unforgiving — there’s no “cut” or “take two.” It keeps you grounded and sharp.

But then, film — film is magic. It captures your most intimate and emotional moments and freezes them in time. Those moments live forever.

What are those things about Okoyo that audiences might be surprised to learn about you?   

As much as I enjoy the finer things in life, at my core, I am a very spiritual person. That side of me is what keeps me grounded — it’s my compass.

What’s your go-to playlist?

Kenyan R&B and gospel music every morning to get me started for the day. 

If you aren’t acting, what would you be doing?

I’d probably be somewhere in a media station, somewhere in a newsroom or a radio station hosting a show or hosting a show on TV. Because, you know, radio is my thing. I love radio a lot and hopefully one day I’m going to have my own show on radio.

Any hidden talents or skills?

Well apart from cooking, Okoyo is such a good footballer.