Kenyatta University best in drama as festival ends

**A student from Kaimosi Teachers College proudly display her trophy after winning several awards at the Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival in Nakuru [PHOTO: GEORGE ORIDO/STANDARD]**

NAKURU: Kenyatta University charmed everyone with their play, The Epicene, directed by Derrick Waswa of the popular Gavana programme on KTN, to emerge the best in this years’ Kenya Schools, Colleges and Universities Drama Festival held at Menengai High School in Nakuru.

This is the second year in a row the university has won after taking the trophy home last year with their play, The Quail Factor.

The Epicene depicts Valentine, the child of a president (the mother) with sexual disorientation that leads to rejection and discrimination from her parents. Valentine falls ill and must have a blood transfusion. But no one else has the compatible blood group other than the banished father.

The university took the stage by storm by winning almost everything after student Peter Kariuki was named Best Actor and Sarah Masese was runner-up in the Best Actress contention.

Africa Nazarene University’s Elizabeth Gathuo won Best Actress as Zetech’s Neel Ashioya took third slot.

Kennedy Avugwi of Kenya Methodist University (Kemu) and Fecil Hamad of Technical University of Mombasa shared the second spot for Best Actor.

Mr Waswa emerged top in his duties followed by Zetech’s Sande Atundo and Kemu’s Xavier Nato.

“I feel really happy about us and thank God we did well and got the top position,” said a joyful Masese after the results were announced by adjudicator Rose Toyo of Gikumene Girls’ High School. Other members of the panel were John Oyucho and Chrispine Barasa.

SINGING GAMES

In other categories, Best Male Soloist went to Mount Kenya University’s Peter Lubanga. Carolyne Mukaba was Best Female Soloist. The Modern Dance trophy was claimed by Maasai Mara University.

In the Early Childhood Development Education centres’ category, Syprose Atieno of St Kizito ECD won with her verse, Mwizi wa Mapenzi. Gachororo ECD won in the choral verse category with Hii Choo by Lucy Ayoyi as Thika ECD shone in the singing games competition.

Institutions that claimed awards in the primary schools categories included Nakuru Lions Primary School, which defended last year’s win by vanquishing a tight field of competitors with their play, Chasing the Wind. Golden Elites from Kisumu got the award for Best Costumes.

Mudasa Academy from Vihiga went home a happy lot after they won the verse category as Christ the King from Nzoia came in second with Lazimisha directed by Mercy Barasa and Samuel Omututu.

Westlands Primary School was declared the Most Prolific school.

The festival comes to a close today with secondary school results being released at the end of the gala in a ceremony presided over by Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.

On Friday, the winners are scheduled to perform for President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nakuru.