The eighth season of Big Brother Africa premiered Sunday night, introducing new housemates in Africa’s most popular reality show. Big Brother-The Chase, as it will be known, will have 28 housemates from across Africa, each eying and vying for the $300,000 prize.

The show began with a moment taken to remember former housemate Goldie from Nigeria. who passed away earlier this year. Also featured were performances from Mafikizolo as well as comedian Tumie Morake from South Africa. Kenya was represented by STL, who gave a crowd-thrilling performance and comedian Churchill, who alongside Tumie thrilled viewers with their insights on the two houses, Rubies and Diamonds, that the housemates now occupy. But the stars of the night were the housemates, who hailed from Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ethiopia,Tanzania and of course, Kenya.

The Kenyan representatives were 21-year-old socialite and model Huddah Monroe, not a stranger to Kenyan audiences especially on social media where she has caused quite a stir with her semi-nude photography. Huddah, on her BBA profile, said she chose to compete in the reality show because it was “a once in a lifetime thing…..plus it [Big Brother Africa] has brought a lot of opportunity to a lot of people.”

Huddah was revealed as one of Kenya’s representatives, which ignited quite a stir online from debates of whether her stated age of 21 was true or not.  Kenya’s second representative in the BBA house was Annabel Mbaru, a 24-year-old fashion designer and student who revealed she loved attention and is looking forward to having Africa’s eyes on her 24/7.  Ann and Huddah are both in the Diamonds house.

Last year Kenya came close to scooping the top prize when Prezzo emerged as the runners’ up, the closest Kenyans have come to winning BBA.  Capital Lifestyle Magazine wish the Kenyan reps Huddah and Ann the best of luck!