Photos: Kenyans dazzle at the Wakanda Forever screening

 Lilian Wanjiru and Wangare Kimani during the Wakanda Forever Screening. [David Gichuru,Standard]

Kenyans dressed the part during the red-carpet event for the new Marvel Studios film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the Century Cinemax Sarit Centre.

The sequel to the $1.348 billion (Sh158billion) grossing original film is set to play across multiple screens in the country starting Friday.

In attendance on Wednesday were Lupita Nyong'o's parents, Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o who was accompanied by his wife Dorothy Nyong'o and some family members.

 Governor Anyang' Nyong'o and Kisumu County First Lady Dorothy Nyong'o with models. [David Gichuru,Standard]

Lupita's parents were the attraction of the night as they mingled and took pictures with fans before the screening started.

 Governor Anyang' Nyong'o shows off cultural dancing moves with Zamaleo Afriq cultural dancer. [David Gichuru,Standard]

At one point, the governor showcased his moves as the crowd cheered him on.

The film follows the death in 2020 of Chadwick Boseman, who played King T'Challa, the Black Panther in the original movie, released in 2018.

 Wakanda movie fashion models in wakanda gear Akal Achieng, Lilian Wanjiru and Wangare Kimani. [David Gichuru,Standard]

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever pulls off a difficult dive after Chadwick Boseman's death.

With the introduction of new anti-hero Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the king of underwater kingdom Talokan, who breaches Wakanda's defenses while the country is still grieving the loss of T'Challa, Wakanda Forever presents another mythical and powerful nation, -- this time with roots in Mayan culture.

 Actress Jackie Matubia and hubby Blessing Lungaho during the Wakanda Forever Screening. [David Gichuru, Standard]

It expands on that, weaving in a Latin American perspective with a similar degree of cultural specificity in the introduction of the Aztec-inspired antagonist Namor, king of the ancient underwater world of Talokan.

 Violeta Ngina and Eve Mungai. [David Gichuru,Standard]

At the same time, Boseman's death is poignantly filtered into the story from the start, beginning with off-screen death throes.

 Sauti sol's Polycarp Otieno,,Willis Chimano and Savara Mudigi.

Wakanda Forever, grappling in the aftermath of loss, ultimately seeks something rare in the battle-ready superhero landscape.

 Carolyne Ndede, Cate Kamau and Cynthia Njiru.

The 2018 film was one of the highest grossing films in Africa, with audiences responding favourably to the kingdom of Wakanda, which represented an amalgam of African countries and cultures and an ideology of an Africa many would like to see.

 Zanmaleo Afriq Dancers entertain guests.