Drama festivals wrap up with powerful acts, social reflections

The 63rd edition of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals concluded in style with a vibrant two-day gala that commenced on Monday, featuring captivating performances from winning teams.

Participants took to the stage to showcase their exceptional talents through an array of dances, films, choral verses, and plays, with performances focusing on topical themes, such as youth desperation linked to gambling, the rising role of artificial intelligence in schools, and the urgent need to revive traditional music.

Kitale National Polytechnic delivered a dynamic presentation urging the entertainment industry to embrace African musical instruments, which have been sidelined in favour of Western ones.

In their energetic piece titled Daudi Dance, the students advocated for the harmonisation of African and Western cultures to preserve indigenous instruments at risk of fading into obscurity.

Seme Technical and Vocational College presented Aviator, a poignant narrative highlighting how financial desperation often drives students to misuse school fees through gambling. The presentation also underlined how challenging economic backgrounds are pushing young learners into high-risk behaviours.

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DePaul Austine Primary School contributed with Terrabites, a narrative exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into the education system.

While noting that many institutions are not yet prepared to adopt AI fully, the performance emphasised the necessity of adapting to this inevitable technological advancement to enhance learning and school operations.

Kabare Girls presented a similar theme, using film to depict how technology is aiding in teaching technical subjects and improving access to education. However, the performance also explored the downsides of modern technology, particularly the negative influence of mobile phones.

A play by Starehe Boys’ Centre depicted the dangers of mobile phone addiction and its potential to hinder academic achievement, striking a chord with both students and educators.

Fesbeth Academy captivated audiences with a dramatic portrayal of corruption in local elections, shedding light on how electoral processes can be tainted by unethical practices.