Abel Mutua Reflects on His Rise: “Chase the Dream, Even When It’s Scary”

Abel Mutua—acclaimed director, actor, scriptwriter, and YouTuber—has been chasing his dreams for years, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

In a candid interview on The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori, Abel opened up about the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including transformative phone calls that changed his financial trajectory.

“If you’re never scared while doing your work, then you probably don’t have real passion for it,” he said. “As a man, you should never stay in a place where you feel nothing. Get out and pursue that dream.”

Now 38, Abel has built a creative legacy, but his journey began long before he became a household name.

While still in college, Abel landed a breakout role on Tahidi High, a popular Kenyan TV series, alongside his close friend and collaborator, Philip Karanja, better known as Director Phil.

But acting was only a stepping stone. Abel and Phil had a vision that went far beyond the screen.

“We had more than just acting skills—we understood production, and we knew that’s where the money was,” he recalled.

Their big break came when they boldly pitched themselves as producers to their boss. To their surprise, she agreed—and just like that, they were behind the scenes, working alongside seasoned industry veterans.

This marked a major shift in Abel’s career. Moving from acting to production gave him creative control—and greater financial stability.

“If any of our friends had been willing to stick through the long, uneventful journey we were on, they might be where we are too,” Abel said.

That journey, he explained, wasn’t glamorous. It was filled with long hours, back-to-back projects, and little time for a social life.

“After we got into production, it was non-stop. My social battery was drained. But we were prepared—and that made all the difference.”

For Abel, success has come down to vision, discipline, and the courage to act when opportunity knocks. It’s a mindset he hopes will inspire others to push past fear and stay ready for their big moment.