College play warns of tribal leaders at counties

By George Orido

The best of the National Schools and Colleges Drama festivals was paraded at Kakamega High School during day one of the gala with a message to Kenyans to reconcile.

Kenya Institute of Mass Communication captured the audience with the County Edition 411 play.

The play by Kennedy Buhere cautions about the possibility of counties having a bigger say after the forthcoming elections.

It depicts leaders who use tribalism to stick to power by all means.

Foreign powers manipulate policy and trade at the expense of the masses.

The recent discovery of oil in Turkana influenced a section of the script as an actor Zephaniah (Ali Mwachuo) demanded control of the oil fields as condition to guarantee the incumbent stay in power.

Menengai High School revisited the mayhem, pain, death and despair when communities resort to violence as a means of solving conflict.

Their play, Bamba 50, was a creative way to tell the 2008 post-election violence in fascinating imagery and reflective dialogue.

Chogoria Girls from Eastern made history at the festival when their film, A Time to Cry, was the first ever to be screened at the national Gala event.

The producer and students showcased a compelling story of differences caused by religious dogma.

The story depicts a schoolgirl who comes from a religious sect where women and men must adorn a headgear. This affects the girl as she is discriminated in college.

prostitution

Attempts to remove the headgear were met by threat of regrettable consequences.

A power game ensues between the father and the school and the girl finally decides to remove the headgear in line with school rules.

Kenya Polytechnic’s choral verse, Tainted Passion, depicted prostitution among university students.

"Without this trade I can’t pay school fees or buy clothes," goes part of the verse. But there is intervention from parents who talk the girls out of the streets, where danger lurks every minute. Alliance Girls presented a solo verse, The Blind Date, St Augustine’s Preparatory thrilled with their dance, Karembo, while Nairobi Aviation entertained with a narrative, Apocalypse.

Sony Sugar presented a solo verse, Lonely Princess, by Splendour Tonia.

It appreciates the positive role wealth has in the lives of humans but says it cannot guarantee happiness.

The new Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo is tomorrow expected to present certificates to winners of the festival.