He meets his cousin (a gang leader) who gives Mwas an expensive radio system and some money to take to Khanji electronic shop in downtown Nairobi.

In a twist of events, he meets a Nairobi crook Oti (Olwenya Maina) who becomes a close friend and takes him into his criminal gang.

This attracts the attention of the police and the two parties are arrested but two corrupt law enforcement officers single out Oti's crew and take them to a secret location which seems abandoned.

The Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy praised the film after watching it at the 2012 AFI Fest: "This dynamic crime drama comes across as fundamentally honest and vividly realistic.

"[6] KenyaBuzz singled out the show-stealing raw performance by Maina Olwenya as Oti saying: "This character is more ghetto than listening to old NWA albums.

"[7] Critic Jim Ross from Take One wrote a glowing review of the film, saying that "The aspirational themes are universal, but they are refracted through the rough and often brutal prism of modern Nairobi."

"[8] Ard Vijn of Screen Anarchy wrote a positive review of the film: "With its two-timing, upbeat protagonist and fast-paced tempo, Nairobi Half Life is a fun adventure to watch."