Take 5 with Karen Lucas

You know Karen Lucas from Project Fame, as well as several artistic events that have been occupying Kenya’s art scene for years, such as ‘Love Jams’, ‘A.S.A.P.’ and ‘For The Love’, all under her events company, Kaz Entertainment.

If not from these, you know her from her acting career on popular Kenyan series such as ‘Stay’- and if not from that, you know her from her highly successful (and super tasty) cooking ventures under Kathy’s Kitchen.

And if you don’t know her from that, you heard her name when the Kenya Film Classification Board CEO Ezekiel Mutua was mouthing off about her and Nini Wacera’s so-called lesbian podcast, ‘The Spread’.

1. Why do you think ‘The Spread’ has caused such a hullabaloo? Why do you think Kenyans are so anti-healthy sex talk?

Nini and I say this over and over again, Christian guilt. The church has taught us that our bodies and our sexuality is dirty so obviously conversations around that are dirty and ungodly too. The same way Christianity came to Africa and taught us to cover ourselves and that nudity was bad. It’s all the same old colonialist school of thought.

2. If you could meet and talk with Ezekiel Mutua, and try to reason with him, what would you say?

Nothing. He can’t be worth my energy.

3. Where do you find the time to do so many amazing things - cook up a (vegan) storm, host a podcast, sing your lungs out, generally be fabulous...

Awwwww, well I don’t know. I think the time finds me. I’m so passionate about all these things so it kind of always works out.

4. Do you think you are living your dream?

I definitely think I’m in the right direction but not quite there yet. I believe I’m close though but then again I’ve been close since I was 18. One day my day will come. I just keep it moving.

5. What book are you reading at the moment?

We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo.