Hilarious and serious themes dominate Universities Drama and Film Festival

Hilarious and serious themes dominated the Eastern/Central Regions University Drama and Festival at Kenyatta University Kitui Campus. The three-day event, which started on Friday, March 21, and ends on Sunday, March 23, attracted eight institutions.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) Thika Campus, last year's national winners in the drama category, presented a play called 'The Tempest'. The Tempest was a follow-up to last year's play 'The Parasite'.

This play was critical of African states auctioning off their minerals to Western powers. It also showed how Western powers micromanaged African states using their own resources.

This year, MKU has followed it up with national resource sharing, written by Oliver Minishi. This is a story of how the struggle for political power has led to bloodshed among the citizens of a county where Lady Shiombo is the stake that Tembo and Mshimuli, who are brothers, fight so hard to capture.

Tembo goes ahead to marry Lady Shiombo. This in turn punctures the beauty of Lady Shiombo.  

Hosts Kenyatta University Kitui campus staged a play called "Harvest of Gloom", a masterpiece production that revolves around the infamous Shakahola Massacre and its impact on society.

Written by Dr Emmanuel Shikuku, the play pays tribute to all those who were affected by the Shakahola massacre. The play begins with villagers lamenting the loss of their loved ones who perished in Shakahola.

The play ends with the announcement that the perpetrators have been arrested, to the relief of the audience, whose patience had been tested by the play's prolonged conflict.

The play was directed by Dr Stephen Kamau of KU Kitui Campus.

The actors who steered the KU Kitui Campus play were Janstine Zadack "Juliet", Prisals Mutua "Absla", Ann Nduku "Girl" and Christine Muthami who played the role of "nurse".

 Set in the famous Shibale Village of Mumias, the play thrilled the audience.

There was a hilarious story called "Dr Demakufu" from MKU. The piece was about the invention of Artificial Intelligence to solve many problems.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) also had a narrative performed by Yvonne Ndinda and Victoria Wanjiku written by Vodaphone Sewe. Jkuat also presented a comedy scripted by Desmond Marera and performed by Sammy Bonge.

Zetech University had a comedy "The Cheater's Guide", written by Victoria Mutuma, directed by Reagan Otieno and produced by Prof Ngenga Nomeme.

MKU presented a Creative Cultural Dance Mapesa about the current economic situation and how taxation hits families hard. Especially when there is only one breadwinner. It showed the importance of partnership, responsibility and support in a marriage.

A Stomach's Revenge is a high-energy comedy that follows the misadventures of a village boy navigating the chaotic jungle of modern city life.

It unpacks cultural shocks and the unintended consequences of unlimited food and a hilarious journey of digestive betrayal. The story highlights the struggles of adapting to urban life, the surprises of technology and the endless betrayals.

Zetech University presented a comedy performed by Victor Mutuma and produced by Prof Ngenga Nomeme.

The story introduces us to Jabali, a charming but slightly mischievous high school student who believes that "success" in school means working smarter, not harder.

Throughout his high school years, Jabali has perfected the art of strategic studying (aka cheating) and a very questionable relationship with his mobile phone, Jabali passes exams without breaking a sweat.

The story begins with Jabali reflecting on his high school "career" during a final exam where, as always, he was prepared to outsmart his teachers. Armed with a marking scheme hidden under his desk, Jabali begins to transcribe his high school experiences. His narrative is full of sarcastic humour, self-awareness and a sense of nostalgia. Other universities represented were the University of Embu, Meru, Nys Yatta,

The national government was represented by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Darious Ogutu, Director of Higher Education, and Rose Ndegwa, his assistant.

 The event was officially opened by Darious Ogutu, the Director of Higher Education and Rose Ndegwa who is his assistant.

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