Plight of workers in Middle East take centre stage at drama fete
Chuka Girls High School performs a choral verse during the second day of the National Drama and Film Festival at Nakuru Lions Primary School on April 8, 2025.
Diverse contemporary themes featured on the second day of the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru at Menengai High School, Lions Junior School and Melvin Jones Hall.
St Joseph's Girls – Joga, captivated the audience with a choral verse Shikemshike, about the plight of job seekers in the Middle East. The audience, comprising students, teachers, parents and invited dignitaries, was taken through an emotional roller-coaster that left many in deep contemplation.
The verse, a poignant narration of the struggles Kenyan job seekers face in the Middle East, was delivered with fervour, impeccable synchronisation, and haunting vocal harmonies.
The performers, clad in simple yet symbolic attire, embodied the desperation, hope and ultimate despair of thousands of young people who leave their homeland in search of better opportunities abroad.
With each line, the students painted a grim picture of shattered dreams — contracts that promised paradise but delivered pain, employers who turned from benefactors to tormentors, and the suffocating silence that envelopes those who never make it back home.
The chief principal of the school, Rosebela Orwaru Munzala, later commended her students for shedding light on such a critical issue.
“This performance is not just art; it is a wake-up call. We must protect our youth and ensure their safety as they seek employment abroad,” she remarked.
Shikemshike is a cry for justice and a plea for awareness through art. The verse was scripted by Gideon Habwe, Brian Mutende, Victor Achesa and Foy Ongaya. It was directed by Nobert Ayoyi, Anne Butek and Dennis Okituk Omailo.
St John's Kanunga School from the Central Region lit up the stage with a mesmerizing performance titled, Buy Kenya, Promote Kenya that left the audience in awe during the second day of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival at Nakuru Lions Primary School Hall.
The students delivered a powerful verse — scripted by the brilliant trio of Foy Ongaya, Gideon Habwe, and Brian Mutende.
Their message was clear, poetic, and urgent: Buy Kenyan, Build Kenya. Using rich metaphors, rhythm, and passionate delivery, the performers breathed life into a verse that celebrated the strength of local industries, the beauty of Kenyan identity, and the importance of economic patriotism.
For their efforts, they received a standing ovation. The verse was produced by the Chief Principal, Paul Warutere and costumed but Ms Immaculate Otieno.
Chuka High School then graced the stage with their verse, Toto Pesa that addressed the value of educating girls. They creatively depicted use of social media to educate on the benefits of educating girls. The verse was directed by the chief principal, Joan Muchina.
Oloolaimutia Primary School from Narok County, Rift Valley presented a cultural creative dance titled Nashulai about a visually impaired girl who faces stigma in school, but her talent in playing the piano earns her respect from her peers, helping her gain acceptance in school.
Oloolaimutia Primary School from Narok, Rift Valley, performs a cultural dance about visually impaired children facing stigma during the second day of the National Drama and Film Festival at Nakuru Lions Primary School on April 8, 2025.
The dance is choreographed by Benson Kipai, who is also the head teacher of the school. Moses Rotiken, wowed the audience with his horn-blowing skills.
Other schools that performed include Migosi Primary School from Nyanza with a cultural creative dance.
AIC Philemon Chelagat Girls from Baringo County presented a cultural creative dance Kateno Amoros on effects of drug abuse in schools at Melvin Jones Hall. The dance utilises Pokot cultural heritage and language through dance formations and movements to explore where real danger in school lurk; drugs.
At some point, it was unclear to both teachers and parents why students were becoming unnecessarily unruly, distracted and inexplicably angry about everything until the real cause was discovered. The drug menace was discovered and finally nipped in the bud.