Former Machachari actress Joy Ohon has revealed she is stepping back from acting, citing the unstable nature of Kenya’s film industry and the personal compromises it demands.
Speaking in a recent interview with YouTuber Oga Obinna, the young actress said that while acting has played a big role in her life, it no longer aligns with her long-term goals.
Joy explained that very few actors in Kenya make a stable income, with only about 2% managing to sustain themselves fully through acting.
“If I want 10 kids, I can’t live off it,” she said, adding that the effort required often does not match the financial or professional rewards.
The actress also highlighted her discomfort with some of the roles she has been asked to play.
She particularly took issue with the increasing demand for actors, especially women, to perform multiple sex scenes — something she finds incompatible with her personal values.
“If you’re telling me I’m supposed to do 15 sex scenes in one series, and I have a man and kids at home, why am I doing that? And then you’re paying me how much?” she questioned.
Although Joy has not completely ruled out acting, she emphasized that any future involvement would be casual or hobby-based. “There are a lot of compromises acting in Kenya requires you to make that I’m not for,” she said.
Following her role in Salem, Joy decided to take a break from the screen to explore other avenues. She has since ventured into business and other personal pursuits, joking that she is currently a “professional wedding guest.”
Her story reflects broader concerns about the challenges faced by actors in Kenya, including low pay, lack of job security, and limited creative freedom.
By Kenyans