Riara Girls wins in Nairobi national drama festivals

Riara Girls emerged winners with their play “Okay Bottle Trap” during the Nairobi Regional Drama and Film Festival.

‘Bottle Trap’ explores the struggles of young adults grappling with alcohol addiction and the devastating impact it has on their goals and ambitions.

It underscores the vital role of education, not merely as a pathway to employment but also as a cornerstone for developing critical thinking that enables individuals to confront and overcome significant life obstacles.

 It is produced by Ms Jane Mulinge featuring Sophia Kimani, Sandra Aikaeli (Best Actress), Laura Ndanu and Cindy Imani among others.

In the same category, St. Georges emerged second, with State House Girls taking up the third position on a Kiswahii play scripted by Cleophas Malala.

East Africa champions Buruburu Girls High School presented a creative dance that explores the issue of self-sustainability to curb unemployment in this digital era, moving the audience and leaving them asking for more during Nairobi Regional Schools and Colleges Drama Festival held at Moi Girls Nairobi on March 15, 2025.

Highway Secondary School also emerged first with a Luo cultural dance. Another Regional giant, Moi Girls Nairobi Secondary School, did not disappoint with their choral verse Wambo produced by Margaret Njagga.

The verse, displaying clear movements and deliberate conflicts, depicts a school girl, Wambo, faced with choices between academics and co -co-curriculum activities.

It is a mirror of the travails that the current student pursuing the Competency-Based Curriculum is facing.

 The different pathways of STEM and arts as well as sports are still a puzzle for students, teachers and parents alike.

 Moi Girls Nairobi choral verse highlights the need for students to have a balance between co-curriculum and curriculum activities in schools.

 The aim of the verse is to expose and encourage the students to a world of balance where they can achieve all they want to achieve in life if they could only work extra hard to ensure they get the desired balance and motivation.  It is directed by Isaac Kimiywi and produced by Margaret Njagaa.

 Precious Girls Riruta emerged winners with a choral verse on the safe use of the internet.

Other items presented during the Gala were a solo verse by Moi Girls, Highway Secondary School French play, State House Girls Play ‘Kisulisuli’, St George's play ‘The Broken Chorals’, and an Apostolic Carmel play ‘Miale Ya Sifa’.

Creative cultural dances gala items were by Buruburu Girls, The Highway School, and Shadrack Kimalel, while Choral Verse top cream items were by Moi Girls Nairobi and State House Girls. Solo verses by Starehe Boys and Moi Girls. State House Boys performed a modern dance together with Langata Barracks.

 The festival was run under major budgetary constraint after School Principals either allocated minimum budgets or did away completely with having their children participate.

National schools such as Lenana had no option but to borrow sets and designs from other schools. Whilst hitherto active schools such as Pangani Girls gave the fete a wide berth altogether.

Equity Bank presented a cheque of Sh250,000 to support the festival with individual winners in the Equity Bank theme being awarded cash prizes.

In Embu County, the festival had to be delayed by over seven hours after teachers stopped participating over claims that school principals had declined to pay them their allowances.

 njagi2011@gmail.com