Audience left in stitches as children display their talent

By George Orido

In a display of budding talent, the audience was treated to captivating performance by early childhood development institutions.

Monday morning session was spared for the institutions. They impressed.

Brandy Awuor of Sony Sugar Nursery earned a standing ovation at the Kenya Schools and National Drama Festivals at Lenana School when she presented a solo verse, The Dot.

Exuding confidence and full of articulation, she asserted that she was very special, though as tiny as a dot.

"If you are not careful, you will forget the dot. But without me, your sentence is incomplete," she said.

Brenda further made her basic needs known, including access to balanced diet, proper clothing, shelter and above all love from adults.

"I must be free, free from Malaria," she said, entering her secure and warm bed tucked with treated mosquito net.

Her peers from Gachororo ECD in Central Province presented a choral verse, Drama Girl, in praise of school life.

Happy to be in school

In the poem, the children are happy with the learning programme and say in measured vocals: "In school we swing, and swim and sing."

"The festival provides the children with holistic growth as useful leaders in their own right," explains festivals executive secretary Patrick Khaemba.

In their game scripted by Eunice Mwega, the singing mode continues in I will sing.

Ofafa Jericho ECD from Nairobi presented a singing game, Njaa, which highlights effects of hunger, especially on children.

The message in Ganjoni ECD’s This God was that God is introduced to us at a very early age.

Children from Nakuru ECD projected the future as very bright for Kenyan children, but asked adults to assure them of that posterity by being responsible.

As the curtains drew on the ECD presentations, colleges and universities took the podium with messages targeting on the adult population.

Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology presented a play: "Doctor Who?".

Set within the courtroom, the play dissects the depths of trafficking in human body parts.

With sound effects of horror, the audience is taken into the theatre where unscrupulous nurses and a doctor transplant body parts.

"With my nurses from the university, I announce the successful kidney transplant. Next patient?"

Earlier, Mombasa Polytechnic University College made a comeback at the festival after a one-year lull.

As if to make a statement, their play, Zahama, had the trademark humour that sent the audience to stitches through the 35 minutes.

The piece attempts to depict the suffering and trauma as a result of stigma against drug abusers.

It further provides solutions to how best people can deal with drug problems in society.

Written and directed by Yusuf Mwinyihija, Zahama is a serious discourse on drug trafficking at the Coast.

Hillarious taste

Announcers Akoko Okayo and Andrew Shikanda added to the hilarious taste of the afternoon with their witty and informative remarks.

Actors were interviewed on the interludes providing insights on their backgrounds and experience in the arts.

Mary Mwikali from Mary Mount Girls broke into tears during such interview on remembering how little support had come from parents and friends with regard to her acting.

She performed a solo verse, Jamboree, on Constitution implementation.

On Tuesday, the festival opens its doors for the family gala that will run until Wednesday, when winners will be announced.