Jackie Matubia

Last updated
Jackie Matubia
Born
Jacqueline Matubia Mwangi

(1990-09-16) September 16, 1990 (age 35)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Television host
  • Digital creator
  • Entrepreneur
Years active2010s–present
Known for
Television
  • Chatspot on Switch TV
  • E-Zone with Jackie
Spouse
Kennedy Njogu
(m. 20162020)
Children2

Jackie Matubia (born Jacqueline Matubia Mwangi on September 16, 1990) is a Kenyan actress, television host, digital content creator and entrepreneur. She is best known for her roles as Jolene in the television series Tahidi High , Nana in the Citizen TV telenovela Zora and Zahra Mufasa in the Maisha Magic Plus drama Salem. She has also appeared in reality television, including The Mommy Club NBO . [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Matubia was born in Kenya and spent part of her early childhood living in London with her father before returning to Kenya, where she was raised in Kawangware by her mother. [2] [3]

She attended Lavington Academy for her primary education and later joined Gathirimo High School in Kiambu. During her time in high school, she developed an interest in acting and joined the drama club, which marked the beginning of her journey into the performing arts. [2]

Career

Acting

Matubia began her acting career with a breakthrough role as Jolene in the long-running Kenyan high school drama Tahidi High , which aired on Citizen TV. The role made her a recognizable figure in Kenyan television. After taking a break from acting, she returned in 2021 with a leading role in the Citizen TV telenovela Zora, where she portrayed Nana. [4] Her performance earned her the Best Actress in a TV Drama award at the Women in Film Awards (WIFA) in 2022. [5] [6] [7]

In 2023, she joined the cast of Salem on Maisha Magic Plus, replacing Illya Frank in the lead role of Zahra Mufasa. [8] The role further cemented her position as a leading actress in Kenyan television. [9]

She has also appeared in film projects, including the short film Loop (2022).

Media and reality television

In addition to acting, Matubia has worked as a television presenter. She co-hosted Chatspost on Switch TV Kenya alongside Kush Tracey and Noni Gathoni. [10] [11] She later worked on Rembo TV as a host of the show E-Zone with Jackie. [12] [13]

In 2025, she joined the cast of the Showmax reality television series The Mommy Club NBO , a Kenyan adaptation of a South African franchise. The show focuses on the lives of high-profile mothers balancing careers and family life. [14]

Digital media and entrepreneurship

Matubia is also a digital content creator with a significant following across social media platforms, where she shares lifestyle, parenting and beauty-related content. [15] She is the founder and chief executive officer of Fabulously Forward, a company focused on natural health and beauty products. [16]

Personal life

Matubia is a mother of two daughters. She had her first child in 2015 with her former husband, Kennedy Njogu. [17] The couple later separated. [18] She later entered a relationship with actor Blessing Lung'aho, whom she met while working on Zora. [19] The couple had a daughter in 2022 before separating in 2023. [20] [21]

She has publicly spoken about motherhood, mental health and co-parenting, often using her platform to advocate for single mothers. [22] [23]

Filmography

Television and film

YearTitleRoleFormatNotes
2010s Tahidi High JoleneTV SeriesMain cast
2021–2022ZoraNanaTV SeriesCitizen TV
2020 Sincerely Daisy NancyComedy, DramaSupporting role
2022LoopShort film
2023–presentSalemZahra MufasaTV SeriesLead role (Season 2 onwards)
2024Family VacationSylviaDramaLead role
2025DielemmaShort film
2025 The Mommy Club NBO HerselfReality TVShowmax original (11 Episodes)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2022 Women in Film Awards (WIFA) Best Actress in a TV DramaWon [24] [6] [5]
2024Tuko Entertainment AwardsBest Actress of the YearSalemWon [25]
2025Thamani AwardsBest Actress East AfricaNominated [26]

References

  1. "Three things you didn't know about 'Zahra Mufasa' (Jackie Matubia) – Salem". Maisha Magic Plus. DStv. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  2. 1 2 "Life that chose Jackie Matubia: Troubled childhood, marital woes, heartbreak & stardom". Pulse Kenya. 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  3. "Jackie Matubia Opens Up About Complicated Early Childhood". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  4. "Jackie Matubia: The Rise of Citizen TV's Zora Star - Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  5. 1 2 "Royal Media shows 'Zora', 'Mother-in-Law' scoop four awards at Women in Film Awards". Citizen Digital. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  6. 1 2 "Congratulations! Netizens applaud Zora's Nana for winning the best actress award". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  7. "Kenya Film Commission Support for Women in Film". Kenya Film Commission. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  8. Tunoi, Kevin (2023-04-04). "Jackie Matubia Replaces Actress Illya Frank as Zahra Mufasa in Telenovela Salem - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  9. "Exciting new additions to Salem's cast in season 2". Maisha Magic Plus. DStv. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  10. "Switch TV presenter quits days after confirming breakup with husband". Pulse Kenya. 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  11. Mwangi, Nick (2020-01-07). "Ex-Tahidi High Actress Jackie Matubia Quits Switch TV". Nairobi Wire. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  12. "Back in action, Jacky Matubia lands lead role in new project". Pulse Kenya. 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  13. "Ex-Tahidi High Actress Lands Lucrative TV Job - Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. 2020-01-25. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  14. "Matubia to Lynne: Meet the Cast of Newest Reality Show "The Mommy Club NBO"". Mpasho. 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  15. "Three things you didn't know about Jackie Matubia" . Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  16. "Three things you didn't know about 'Zahra Mufasa' (Jackie Matubia) – Salem". Maisha Magic Plus. DStv. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  17. Osoro, William (2026-02-11). "Jackie Matubia's Daughter Excels at KSh 850k Annual Fees School: "Proud of You" - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  18. "Why Jackie Matubia's 1st marriage 'Failed'". www.mpasho.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  19. Gichovi, Murugi (2022-04-25). "Cuffing Season: Actors Blessing Lungaho And Jackie Matubia Get Engaged". The Sauce. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  20. "Jackie Matubia and Blessing Lung'aho welcome first child". Citizen Digital. 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  21. "Jackie Matubia breaks the internet with confessions on rejection, baby daddy & moving on". Mpasho. 2024-11-17. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  22. "Jackie Matubia speaks out on a failed co-parenting attempt". Pulse Kenya. 2025-07-09. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  23. "Mom question Jackie Matubia had to google for an answer". Pulse Kenya. 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  24. "11 super talented Kenyan women making big moves in the film industry". Citizen Digital. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  25. Kemunto, Brandy (2024-01-24). "Jackie Matubia, Blessing Lung'aho Win Best Female and Male Actors at TUKO's Entertainment Awards - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  26. Ajon, Brian (2025-05-14). "Wellu Sengo: Tanzanian Beauty Beats Jackie Matubia, Brenda Wairimu to Win Best Actress East Africa - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 2026-03-24.