Otonglo fame student shines again in drama

Daniel Owira from Highway Secondary School presents a narrative entitled ‘Apondi Situnya’ at Sagana State Lodge on Wednesday. [PHOTOS: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD]

By GEORGE ORIDO

Sagana State Lodge received guests of a certain kind on a chilly Wednesday morning this week.

Students and teachers who had excelled in the 55th edition of the annual Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival were streaming in to showcase some of their best performances.

But one of the performers was special – the student who last year shot to Otonglo fame causing the President to consider him a son.

Daniel Owira had butterflies in his belly as he watched Murang’a Teachers College give a rendition of a Luhya dance because immediately they left the stage, he was next.

“Now Your Excellency, it’s your son Daniel Owira,” announced Mr Khaemba Sirengo, the master of ceremonies of an event that took place under a canvass dome.

Take the stage

The student from Highway Secondary School sprang from his chair and took to the stage.

Clad in white long-sleeved shirt, grey checked pair of shorts and matching half coat and tie, the confident student was in his element.

In his script, he tells of a young woman named Apondi Situnya who happens to be the only girl in Form Four at a rather interesting village school.

Its name is mouthful: Manywanda Od Otenga Mixed Day and Boarding Harambee Secondary School that is loosely translated to mean The Messy House of an Eagle School.

He seemed to have hit the right chord when the whole audience went roaring into deafening laughter. He had to pause for effect before continuing.

The narrative takes the audience through the journey and tribulations of a new high school student popularly known as a ‘mono’.

With wit and colouful language, he left everybody in stitches including the President who sought a white hankie to wipe tears of joy.

In a nutshell, the narrative on Apondi Situnya is a story warning students to beware of the bad influence of colleagues who bring in juice mixed with alcohol and cake baked with weed.

“I think there is a big risk with this trend and it is high time it is nipped in the bud,” said a delightful Owira whose performance this year improved when he scooped second position behind Owiro Boys’ Brian Oloo.

As the event come to a close, Owira got a much anticipated opportunity to meet the President one on one.

He took a photo and shook hands with President Kenyatta who congratulated him but, as a Dad, was concerned.

“Are you balancing your acting and studies?” To which Owira answered in the affirmative.

Owira shared that the President is a warm person who asked him how the family was doing and promised to create time to meet.

Last year, Owira was not ranked but was present at State House where he performed before the President for the sheer entertainment value of his piece ‘Otonglo’, written and directed by Clifford Ouma Nyakwar Dani.

With the President having paid his school fees, bought books and uniform and given pocket money, you would expect the student to be comfortable.

But Owira is not getting into a comfort zone any time soon.

He says while he is grateful for the visibility, he must toil like all other students.

“When we started the journey this year at the District Level I in Nairobi, success did not get to my head. I rehearsed hard with the help of my teachers Clifford Ouma and Mrs Muchiri,” he said.

He said that the urge to impress was even higher at the nationals and at the State Lodge event.

Punch line

“There was tension boiling in me but when the crowd responded well with my first punch line, I relaxed and took over the stage,” he told The Standard in Nyeri.

Does Owira want to continue with his acting career?

“God willing I could be the next Lupita Nyong’o but at the moment, my biggest concentration is my class work,” said a polite Owira who reckons that school work matters just as much as the stage. He believes the future will remain bright as long as he keeps his head straight.

“I want to sincerely thank the President for the kind gesture he has shown me and my family. I forever remain grateful.”

He also remembered to thank his teachers, family, friends, fans and God for having contributed to his achievements.

Before the performance last year, Owira was living with his sister in Kibera slums, something that has since changed for the better.

His director and scriptwriter, Clifford Ouma is happy for him and has encouraged him to stay focused. “The boy is set for even greater heights.”