Kenyatta University beats all to win best play trophy

Kenyatta University’s English play “The Episcene” was on Tuesday declared the best in the just-ended Kenya National Drama Festival.

It was well received by the audience on day one of the Gala Concert featuring 52 winners from teachers’ training colleges, technical institutes, universities, primary and secondary schools at Lohana Hall and Melvin Jones in Nakuru.

Many items presented were based on current topical themes such as terrorism, corruption, drug and substance abuse, child labour, domestic violence, poverty and land grabbing.

Adjudicators Chrispine Basara, Rose Mitheu and John Oyuch commended the choice of topics, saying they interpret what the nation is facing.

Private universities took the lion’s share of the trophies. In the plays category during the 56th edition of the drama festivals, Zetech University’s “Chronicles to Vatican” emerged second while Kenya Methodist University came third with their play “Pots of Smoke”.

STATE CONCERT

The winners in every category will entertain President Uhuru Kenyatta this Friday at State House in Nakuru during the State Concert that will be televised live.

In the oral narratives, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s “Kumbekumbe” carried the day with Laikipia University’s “Na kadhalika” taking the second position as Technical University of Mombasa’s ‘“Jadas” came third.

Mount Kenya University Kakamega won in the Cultural Dance category. Their well-choreographed dance depicted supremacy wars in polygamous families as two wives fought for the control of the family calabash to serve their husband — the king.

The actors brought out the symbolic importance of the calabash as the two queens fought on stage for the king’s attention in the well-dramatised dance choreographed by Mark Wabuli, Ruth Mutahi and produced by Prof Stanley Waudo.

The main characters in the dance, Peter Lubanga (the King), Susan Avungana (first wife), Laura Kanguha (second wife)  and Mmaitisii Isukuti (chief) acted their parts so impressively that one could hardly notice the isukuti players Eugene Chitila and Joseph Mukango, who were supporting the main soloists.

At the climax of the dance, the audience celebrated with the dancers as they sang the popular Luhya song “Mama Buyanzi” (celebration of the unity of the community).

Technical University’s colourful dance “Matalina” was second and Zetech’s Dholuo folk song “Lwang’ni” was third. 

Egerton University were the winners in stand-up comedy followed by Technical University then Zetech University. Technical University of Kenya’s “Reflections” won in the choral verse contest.