Editing Abel Mutua (section)

== Career ==

=== Breakthrough in Television ===
Mutua’s big break came in 2007 when he stepped into a role at the Kenya National Drama Festivals, catching the eye of ''Tahidi High'' producers. Cast as Freddie, a mischievous student, he became a household name by 2006.<ref name="kenyans_oj">{{cite web |url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/53566-abel-mutua-how-tahidi-highs-oj-unexpectedly-changed-my-life-video |title=Abel Mutua: How Tahidi High’s OJ Unexpectedly Changed My Life |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=Kenyans.co.ke |date=2020-05-24}}</ref> His on-screen chemistry with co-star Sarah Hassan (Tanya) was a fan favorite, though their relationship remained professional.<ref name="buzzlearns">{{cite web |url=https://buzzlearns.com/abel-mutua/ |title=Abel Mutua Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=BuzzLearns |date=2019-12-30}}</ref> By 2012, exhausted from writing scripts for ''Tahidi High'', ''Mother-in-Law'', and ''The Real Househelps of Kawangware'', he stepped back after collapsing from overwork.<ref name="pulselive_quit">{{cite web |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/why-abel-mutua-stepped-down-from-writing-tahidi-high-and-mother-in-law-scripts/1d66331 |title=Why Abel Mutua stepped down from writing Tahidi High and Mother-in-Law scripts |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=Pulse Live |date=2019-01-31}}</ref>

=== Phil-It Productions ===
In 2015, Mutua teamed up with director Philip Karanja to launch Phil-It Productions, a hub for authentic Kenyan stories. Their projects, like the TV series ''Sue na Jonnie'' and films ''A Grand Little Lie'' (2021) and ''Click Click Bang'' (2022), resonated with audiences for their relatable characters.<ref name="musicinafrica">{{cite web |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/abel-mutua-and-phil-it-productions-rise |title=Abel Mutua and Phil-It Productions’ rise |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=Music in Africa |date=2023-07-12}}</ref> ''Click Click Bang'', inspired by a ''Young and Stupid'' story, earned KSh 2.5 million on its opening day and landed on Netflix, a triumph for Kenyan cinema.<ref name="citizen">{{cite web |url=https://www.citizen.digital/entertainment/how-click-click-bang-made-ksh25m-456789 |title=How Click Click Bang made KSh2.5M |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=Citizen Digital |date=2022-10-10}}</ref> “We wanted to tell a story that felt Kenyan but could travel the world,” Mutua said.<ref name="nairobinews">{{cite web |url=https://nairobinews.nation.africa/abel-mutua-on-his-journey-to-success/ |title=Abel Mutua on his journey to success |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=Nairobi News |date=2022-09-20}}</ref>

=== Digital Storytelling ===
As “Mkurugenzi,” Mutua has redefined storytelling on YouTube since 2018, with series like ''Young and Stupid'', ''Headline Hitters'', and ''Mkurugenzi Diastories'' drawing millions of views. His tales, from aviation adventures to personal reflections, blend humor and life lessons, earning him over 750,000 subscribers by June 2025.<ref name="youtube_diastories">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6q1g6uTJ_Y |title=Mkurugenzi Diastories - Season 2 Premiere |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=YouTube |date=2023-05-29}}</ref> His digital success brought a YouTube Silver Play Button in 2020 and a Pulse Influencer Award in 2023.<ref name="pulselive">{{cite web |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/abel-mutua-from-tahidi-high-to-digital-storytelling/123456 |title=Abel Mutua: From Tahidi High to digital storytelling |accessdate=2025-06-07 |publisher=Pulse Live |date=2023-08-25}}</ref>