Students depict graft, plight of the poor at fete

Students of Dawamu Leadership School present a play Spear in the Heart at the ongoing Kenya National Schools, Colleges and Universities Drama Festival in Meru yesterday April 9, 2016. PHOTO BY GEORGE ORIDO

Messages on graft, drugs and the plight of the poor kept the audience on the edge of their seats at the ongoing national drama festivals.

Kisumu National Polytechnic yesterday presented a humorous story about the night runner titled Omwanda Pitipiti scripted and directed by George Chunga.

In the narration, the village of Kanyada lives in constant fear of Omwanda Pitipiti. But his days are numbered as the villagers set a snare with his co-night runner. He is caught pants down, literally.

And laughter was plenty as Isaac Okumu of St Augustine Mlolongo High School took to stage to present a narrative The Two Times Two Ministry.

It depicts a suitor who persuades a woman for her hand in marriage but in the process of trying to impress her with wealth, he falls prey to a false prophet who promises to multiply his wealth hundredfold.

He ends up losing everything, including the woman.

In desperation, he tries to get some money from M-Shwrai but his creditworthiness fails him. “Me a watchman, tried my lack in M-Shwari but I did not qualify because the highest amount I saved was forty bob.”

And in a moving creative dance by St Bridgit Akoreet Secondary School for the Deaf from Teso, students depicted a society faced with the challenges of drug abuse.

Playing drums and dancing in sync in a mime formation, the students point a finger at the drug traffickers and peddlers who make money but end up turning young people into zombies. Produced by Eddah Kachi, the dance, The Sweet Sugar calls for punitive measures by authorities against drug peddlers.

Yet hope was the message in St Joseph’s Girls Secondary School Kitale in their modern dance, The Second Chance.

The dance rendered in pace depicts a schoolgirl who has been impregnated. Due to pressure, she considers an abortion but her conscience does not allow her.

She delivers a baby boy after seeking the support of teachers and parents.

Exploited

She later returns to school and passes with flying colours. The dance was choreographed by Bramwel Okindo and directed by Moses Sipeto.

Children from MCK Kariakor Primary School were in their element when they performed another modern dance, Let me, as they asked parents and teachers to allow them pursue their talents at a tender age.

Sang’alo Technical Institute condemned graft in their play, The Ogre, depicting a farming community who bring their produce at a common point.

But after the manager makes sales he disappears with the farmers’ money precipitating a revolt that turns bloody.

A consensus is reached to sack and have him arrested and a new team of management elected by the farmers is put in place.

Kangaru School from Embu had the audience on the edge of their seats when they presented Prongs of The Devil’s Fork produced by Chokera Kahura.

For a long time the weak have been exploited and deprived of their livelihoods in Kitonyini village.

When a new find in form of gold and oil is discovered investors come in calling, but even as they exploit the resources, little benefits trickle back to villagers.

It instead becomes a curse, not a blessing.