The feature film Crescent on the Road is set to make its premiere on December 5 at Unseen Cinema in Kilimani starting from 2:00 PM, bringing to life a story of resilience, faith, and women’s agency embedded in the heart of Nairobi’s bustling transport culture.

Directed by Victor Gatonye and Mohamed Zainudun, and produced by Shirleen Wangari and Mohamed Zainudin (with executive producer Mohamed Zainudun), the 90-minute drama weaves together urban Kenyan life, Islamic heritage, and the high-stakes world of the nganya (customized Nairobi matatus).

At the center of Crescent on the Road is Amina Hilal, a young accountant whose life is upended by the sudden death of her brother, Yusuf. Behind him, Yusuf leaves a heavily financed matatu, dubbed The Crescent, and a family home under imminent financial threat.

Faced with pressure from relatives advising her to sell the vehicle and take the conventional, safe path, Amina makes an extraordinary leap: she leaves her office desk to operate The Crescent herself. Step by step, she steps onto the tarmac and takes the wheel of her brother’s beloved bus.

Amina’s choice places her directly against financial strain, social prejudice, and systemic harassment from those convinced that a young Muslim woman has no place operating a matatu on Nairobi’s streets. Yet, as she navigates the city, the road alters more than just her daily routine—it reshapes her community. Passengers come to respect her, young women take inspiration from her independence, and her critics begin to recognize the true depth of what she is striving to protect.

Importantly, the screenplay frames Amina’s economic ambition through the revered historical example of Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the celebrated businesswoman and first wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Rather than framing her journey as a rejection of her heritage, the film highlights how female leadership, enterprise, and deep personal faith can harmoniously coexist.

The film brings together an impressive roster of celebrated Kenyan screen talent:

  • Yasmin Said
  • Mumtaz Dhulfikar
  • Ken Ambani
  • Pascal Tokodi
  • Timothy Musyoki
  • Mwangi Thuita
  • Martin Kigondu

Watch the trailer below: