Curtain falls on exciting drama fete
What you need to know:
- Drug abuse and peer pressure are among the leading vices in Kenya’s secondary schools, and the verse was very relevant to students as it urged them to avoid these at all costs.
- In the new film category, Moi Girls needed just two minutes to win in the advertisements category with Topsy, another presentation on drug smuggling and abuse.
- Riara Springs Girls High scooped awards for the Best Item Secondary School, Most Creative Play, Best Item on Woman/Girl Empowerment, Most Original Play, Best Costumes and Décor, Best Secondary School Item and Winning Secondary Schools Play. It also produced the best performing artist, Mary Wamboi.
The curtain came down on the 55th edition of the Kenya National Schools and Drama Festival in Nyeri County on Tuesday.
The best presentations in the exciting 10-day event were featured in a two-day gala attended by Education Principal Secretary Belion Kipsang and Secretary Kiragu Magochi.
Festival chairman Chokera Kahura, executive secretary Sirengo Khaemba, former Alliance High School principal Mirichu Wagitu and County Commissioner Michael Mwangi were among dignitaries who attended.
Moi Girls High School in Nairobi was among the top performers at the gala, convincingly defending their solo verse top award with a moving presentation, Darling Dolly.
Darling Dolly, a verse on drug abuse in schools, shows how students become inducted into the vice and its tragic consequences. It was performed by Nicole Adhoch and produced by Mrs Jael Mureithi.
Drug abuse and peer pressure are among the leading vices in Kenya’s secondary schools, and the verse was very relevant to students as it urged them to avoid these at all costs.
NEW COMERS
In the new film category, Moi Girls needed just two minutes to win in the advertisements category with Topsy, another presentation on drug smuggling and abuse.
The brief performance was very effective in sending a lasting message in as short a time as possible, which is the essence of an effective advert.
It showed the decline of a drug abusing girl from a high performer to a mad person. It was performed by Ivy Mwaura.
Riara Springs Girls High scooped awards for the Best Item Secondary School, Most Creative Play, Best Item on Woman/Girl Empowerment, Most Original Play, Best Costumes and Décor, Best Secondary School Item and Winning Secondary Schools Play. It also produced the best performing artist, Mary Wamboi.
Another award winning play was Menengai High School’s We are One scripted by Michael Kiguta and Silas Temba.
The play dwelt on terrorism and questioned the government’s level of preparedness to deal with this menace. It also delved into the issue of religious sensitivity, the country’s porous borders and what needs to be done to seal them.
The play produced the festival’s best actor and second best actor in Geoffrey Onsongo and Melvin Masimo. It also had the best actress, Hilary Susan.
The play was directed by festival veteran Michael Kiguta and Silas Temba.
Oriwo Boys High School presented a narrative on examination cheating while Ringa Boys showcased a thrilling modern dance warning against drunken driving.
Other notable performances were a modern dance by Nairobi Aviation College, Tana Crescent ECD’s choral verse, Kaaga School’s The cross over dance, Sacho High’s French solo, Vuga Primary’s cultural dance, a solo verse by Kericho TTC, Booker Academy’s modern dance, Alber School’s choral verse and a dance by Bungoma High.
The best items will be performed at a concert to be attended by President Kenyatta at the Sagana State Lodge today.
TOP PERFORMERS
Groups headed for State House
Muranga TTC, Dance
Highway Secondary School, Narrative
Kenyatta University, Cultural dance
Makutano S.A. Primary School, Choral verse
Wajir Secondary School, Choral verse
Vuga Primary, Cultural dance
Oriwo Secondary, Narrative
Gachororo ECD, Solo verse
Ringa Secondary, Modern dance
Utalii College, Choral verse
Naikara School, Cultural dance
Sibanga Secondary, Stand-up comedy
Kangaru High, Modern dance
Nakuru Lions, Play
