Introducing Nancy Karanja, widely recognized as Shiks Kapienga, a versatile media figure donning the hats of an actor, comedian, and TV/Radio Host. Best known for her distinct Ghetto persona, the 36-year-old has left an indelible mark in the entertainment industry.
Kapienga’s journey to stardom commenced with her notable roles in the Beba Beba TV Show as Tasha and Shuga, where she portrayed the character of Baby. Born in April 1987 in Kangemi, she is the third of four siblings, three girls and one boy. Her early education began at Westlands Primary School but saw her transferring to Good Samaritan Primary School in Nakuru County. Returning to Westlands Primary School, she successfully completed her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education before progressing to Mirithu Girls’ Secondary School. A subsequent transfer led her to Kangaru Girls, where she completed her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. Recently, she graduated from Daystar University with a degree in communication studies.
In a candid interview with local content creators, Kapienga disclosed that the moniker Shiks Kapienga was coined by Radio Host Mbusi, with “Shiks” being a condensed form of her name Wanjiku, and “Kapienga” representing the Sheng term for something small.
Since her debut in the media industry, Kapienga has graced the screens in various movies and TV shows, including Country Queen, Kiza, Kasiri, Uradi, Nairobi Half-Life, What’s on Your Mind, and Battle of the Souls. Notably, her portrayal of a commercial sex worker in Nairobi Half-Life and the role of Baby in Shuga garnered attention, even though her family initially expressed discomfort with her taking on such challenging roles. Undeterred, Kapienga remained resolute in pursuing her passion for the media sector.
While details about her family remain limited, Kapienga has consistently asserted her single status, dispelling rumors of her involvement with prominent media personalities.
