Drama Festivals are set to resume in Kenyan schools and Colleges following a long pause due to the government’s directive to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Theatre lovers across the country can now smile with the events set to be allowed in schools and colleges.
After the government lifted the major COVID-19 restrictions, the Ministry of Education has now approved the return of co-curricular activities that had been banned in all schools in March 2020 when the government closed all learning institutions following the reporting of the first case of COVID-19.
The Director of Administration in the State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education Mr Andrew Rukaria said that the decision was informed by the relaxation of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions like social distancing.
The Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions held a drama festival for the Nairobi and North-Easter regions at Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology where participants resumed activities after not holding the event for almost three years. The Nairobi Region’s Chairperson Rahab Wanjohi said that the event was not just about winners and losers but rather a celebration after having to wait for a long time for the resumption.
“It is a victory for us just to host the event after such a long time. We have waited for this moment eagerly,” said Ms Wanjohi.
Among the colleges that were involved are Kiambu, Kajiado, Nairobi and Machakos which participated in cultural shows, spoken word, choral and solo verses, stand-up comedy, mime, plays and modern creative dances.
However, most colleges avoided the oral narrative category for unknown reasons.
The Chairperson of the Northern Region Festival Mr Corpenicus Musyoki applauded this year’s event saying that it was an outstanding one.
“It is like the performances had been accumulated in them all this time just waiting to be let out. Performers should keep the high standards,” Musyoka said.