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Actress Jackie Matubia has officially joined the Salem Cast –replacing Illya Frank who exited the show citing unfavorable working conditions.
Matubia will be taking over the role of Zara - a lead character on the show. Ilya Frank replaced actress Mumbi Maina on the telenovela back in August 2022.
"Yes you heard it right Jackie Matubia is the new Zahra MUFASA pale #SALEM Starting this Week Tuesday Tupatane Monday- Thursday at 8:30pm only," Matubia shared.
However, in 2023, she made the bold step of leaving the show due to what she described as a toxic working environment.
Illya Frank is no stranger to the Kenyan television and entertainment space. She first hit the small screens in her debut performance on Reality Show, Nairobi Diaries, and later played a key role in a comedy series Disconnect as Belinda and on Maza TV as Keisy Brown.
In a statement posted to her social media, Illya called out production companies saying they should take better care of their cast and crew.
“The industry is notoriously difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. If production companies took better care of their cast and crew, we could all deliver better quality work and enjoy our craft even more,” she said.
“Players in the industry should also be reminded to be making decisions with greater transparency and consideration for the artists involved. Actors and crews in our local industry need to learn how to speak up and stand up for what is right, honest, and healthy on set,” Illya added.
At the same time, Melvin Alusa, another lead actor in the Telenovela announced his exit also citing toxic working conditions.
The popular telenovela ‘Salem’ has lost its two leading cast members in the space of a week over alleged unfavorable working conditions.
He played the role of an absentee dad in the show and he has been replaced by Charles Ouda.
"As you may be aware I have been on the Maisha magic series Salem, playing Melchizedek for the past year. However, I have now resigned from this position due to unacceptable work conditions."
He further said that since he owe it to his beloved fans of the show, he had to let them know the reasons behind his resignation.
"I am dedicated to my craft and have honed and mastered my skills for close to two decades. I must, therefore, preserve and protect it jealously. I, unfortunately, couldn't bear the toxic work environment anymore," he said.
Adding:
"The bad leadership, emotional blackmail, gas-lighting, manipulation, and health hazards, led to an environment that became impossible for me to perform my role as an Actor, and to deliver powerful moments to the role and story as a whole.
It was at this point that I felt the need to leave with my dignity intact and my head held high. I am now requesting the Salem Production team to manage the welfare of their Actors and crew, many of whom are suffering in silence.
I now say goodbye to you, and thank you so much for all the love and support you showed me while I was on the show as Melchizedek Karani, I wish you a lovely journey even as you proceed with my replacement, the gifted and capable Charles Ouda who will proceed from here. I shall keep you posted on my next project."
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