'Walls of Jeriko' thrills audience at drama festival

The Kenya National Drama and Film Festival continued in Nakuru County with Karima Girls from Nyandarua County presenting an animated play titled Walls of Jeriko, a metaphoric piece featuring cat performers.

In the play, Catrina, the larger cat, builds a “Jeriko wall” to prevent others from accessing her butchery and stealing meat. However, some cats are mysteriously “catnapped” under an unwritten societal rule called the “catnapping project” — now you see them, now you don’t.

The performance came shortly after theatre legend David Mulwa, who recently turned 80 and was honoured at the venue, urged playwrights to use metaphors to avoid direct censorship in the wake of the storm that followed Butere Girls’ play Echoes of War.

Prof Mulwa said the drama caused by the play could have been avoided if playwrights used metaphoric wording and symbolic action rather than blunt language and graphic images.

“In art, you can say nasty things about governance without making them notice what you’re saying because it is dressed in a metaphoric costume,” said the legend.

He cited Wole Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest as a classic example of how to critique ruling powers using symbolic language. He pointed out that the play contains some of the harshest critiques of governance, yet it has stood the test of time because of its use of symbolism and metaphor.

The playwright noted that theatre remains the only platform where people can offer stinging criticism of their government – not to offend, but to offer an alternative path for leaders.

Read: Drama Festival lays bare society’s realities with wit, wisdom

Walls of Jeriko was written by Joe Murungu, renowned for his mastery of metaphor in storytelling. In 2019, he presented Riddles of Sangoma, which critiqued African governments’ hasty cooperation with foreigners, symbolised by a balloon-dressed character representing a foreign power.

In 2018, his play Animal City Animosity featured characters wearing animal masks — giraffe, lion, hyena — to represent different human traits and societal roles.

Bunyore Teachers’ Training College made a moving debut with their choral verse By the River, scripted by Chief Principal Elda Achungo.

Shared natural resources

Using a river as a metaphor for shared natural resources, the verse depicted a conflict between fishermen and farmers, incited by corrupt leaders. In the end, unity prevailed as the communities cast out the divisive figures and reclaimed their peace.

The piece, rich in symbolism and poetry, was co-scripted by Victor Achesa, Nobert Ayoyi, Francis Shikanda, and Foy Ongaya.

Winds of Change, a play written and drected by Kitagwa Kevine and performed by St Augustine Teachers Training College Eregi, was a thrilling performance that saw Lion Dr Vinu A. Patel Hall filled to capacity.

The play revolves around a family in conflict. Priceless, a daughter to Spencer’s mistress, wins her father’s favour because of her intelligence and pleasant behaviour.

On the contrary, Alex, Spencer’s first son, is ill-bred and wants things the easy way. He seeks inheritance and goes to great lengths to get his father’s wealth — even sending his sister away.

At the film hall, Karima Girls showcased a feature film on conflicts between parents and children over career choices. Kanyakine Boys presented Sabotage, while Machakos School screened Solo.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Luuya Girls High School from Bungoma showcased a documentary titled Ill at Ease: EduAfya, highlighting both the benefits and challenges brought by the halting of the EduAfya program. Narrated by Niva Natasha Musungu and directed by Denis Waswa Barasa, it was a compelling call for government action.

St. Clare Maragoli Girls wrapped up day seven with their feature film Turning Point.

Tetu TVC presented Cultural Creative Dance 2025, a performance that highlights the greed people display after receiving an inheritance – often leading to separation and hatred within families. The piece was scripted and choreographed by Samuel Kimani and James Murunga, and produced by Caroline Gikonyo, HSC.

Little Friends Academy Naivasha presented The Guardian Angel, a play for junior schools that addresses the plight of the less fortunate in society. Equity Bank comes in to assist through their programs Wings-to-Fly scholarship and the Equity Afia Medical Center.

The intriguing play, woven with twists and turns, follows the story of Innocent, a 15-year-old boy forced to take on adult responsibilities. The play is produced by Eric Gichuki Kariuki and written and directed by Casmir Obiero.

A narrative titled The Market Toilet, written by James Nyaranga, produced by Maryan Nyaga, and performed by Sheila Wangui, offered a comic take on how a market toilet attendant favoured members of his community at the expense of the public.

In the primary school play titled Gredi Moja, the child-centred story follows two Grade Five pupils who are made to hate each other due to their parents’ differences. The children eventually realise that their peaceful coexistence is more important than the quarrels of their elders. The play is produced by Eric Gichuki.

Another notable performance by Little Friends Academy Naivasha was their thought-provoking solo verse titled The Big Bag, which decries the heavy workload placed on learners during school holidays. The piece advocates for rest and was written by Casmir Obiero and performed by Abigail Wangui. 

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