Actor Anthony Miano Maina, who plays the role of King Nebuchadnezzar, performs during Babylon: The Musical play at the International Christian Centre in Nairobi on March 31, 2026.
From simple skits to complex stage plays that took numerous hours to put together, audiences are getting a delight for their eyes and a creative way to reflect on their faith.
It is raining creativity in various churches over the Easter period as dramatised performances grip captivated audiences.
From simple skits to complex stage plays that took numerous hours to put together, audiences are getting a delight for their eyes and a creative way to reflect on their faith. When we contacted some of the organisers of Easter performances in Nairobi to discuss the works they had put together, the common thread was that creatives thought hard before rendering Bible stories in new and interesting ways.
Actor Clinton Mkash Ahuta, who plays Arioch (Commander of the King’s Guard), performs during Babylon: The Musical at the International Christian Centre in Nairobi on March 31, 2026.
Item: “Babylon: The Musical” Venue: International Christian Centre, Nairobi
As has been the tradition, the ICC-Nairobi has witnessed an explosion of traffic over Easter, thanks to the staging of a musical.
The church’s doors are open to worshippers and non-worshippers alike to watch a high-octane and high-budget production for free. This year’s musical, “Babylon”, premiered on Tuesday 7pm. It was also staged at 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday; and at 3pm and 7pm on Friday and Saturday. The scheduled staging time for Easter Sunday was 4pm and 7pm. The premiere evening was all sparks, as the audience, which filled every available space, was wowed by the presentation that mixes multimedia screens with stage play and music, lighting, sound effects, among other components.
“Babylon” revisits the story of King Nebuchadnezzar.
“As fear and pride grip the kingdom, Daniel and his companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, stand firm in their faith, even in the face of fire,” says the official description, adding that the musical is “a story of courage, humility, unwavering faith, and restoration”.
Mr Gibson Ndaiga, the director and scriptwriter, told Nation Lifestyle that the story is based on the second to the fourth chapters of the book of Daniel. He, in consultation with the church’s leadership, added creative elements to make the narrative captivating. The church typically calls for actors and actresses to audition every year, and the cast is not necessarily those who worship at the ICC. In fact, Mr Ndaiga said, only a small portion of this year’s cast are regulars at the church.
“Auditioning was great. We got really good talent,” he said, noting that the requirement was that the person could sing and act, as all the songs are performed live on stage.
“The auditioning was rigorous, but it was great because we ended up with a very, very amazing cast who can sing, dance and act,” said Mr Ndaiga, who is a voice-over artist who has helped make adverts for various corporates in Kenya.
Actress Jodi Jubi, who plays the role of Amytis of Media, performs during Babylon: The Musical at the International Christian Centre in Nairobi on March 31, 2026.
Actress Judi Jobi was among those who aced the auditions and got to play Nebuchadnezzar’s wife, Amytis. “I’ve been in major productions before, and what makes Babylon really special for me is that it’s the first major biblical and historical musical I’ve ever done,” she said.
Judi has taken part in productions like Mpaka, KIRI, and Irregardless 2.
Item: “Why the Cross” Venue: Citam Ngong
The “Why the Cross” production is a dramatic retelling of Jesus’ crucifixion that goes beyond traditional narratives. It was written to peel back the layers of one of Christianity’s most central events, providing an in-depth, emotionally resonant perspective on Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
Jesse Njuguna, the head of department for Citam Ngong Youth, said the story was created to explain the reason for Christ’s crucifixion from a more in-depth angle.
“While ‘He died for our sins’ is a cornerstone of the faith, it can often become a generalised cliché that loses its impact through repetition. We wanted the audience to sit with the gravity of the event rather than just observing it as a holiday tradition,” said Mr Njuguna.
The production, which was staged last weekend, takes a courtroom setup, giving a unique twist to the Easter story.
“The courtroom setup brings a sharp, uncomfortable emphasis to the ‘trial’ that every human soul faces. The audience wasn’t just watching Jesus being judged; they were forced to see themselves as the defendants. It reframed the crucifixion as the moment the Judge stepped down from the bench to take the place of the accused, providing a clarity of understanding that ‘He died for our sins’ often fails to convey on its own,” Mr Njuguna noted.
The play elicited powerful reactions from the audience. Mr Njuguna recalled:
“During the scene where Jesus was whipped on the path to the crucifixion, many were visibly shaken. Some looked away in distress, while others were moved to tears. The heavy silence made the performance feel uncomfortably real, bridging the gap between historical narrative and present-day emotion. The audience wasn’t just watching, they were moving with the performers, whispering prayers or reaching out instinctively as if to offer help.”
Youth participants were praised for their commitment and discipline. Njuguna highlighted standout contributors, including Andrew Chieng, the Youth Drama Leader, and Sally Weyula, the scriptwriter. He said:
“From the very first rehearsal, the youth didn’t just memorise lines; they sought to understand the emotional weight of their roles. Their raw sincerity and ability to maintain reverence during the most intense scenes brought an added layer of poignancy to the production.”
Njuguna emphasised the importance of productions like this in engaging youth with biblical stories: “By reframing narratives using a modern courtroom setting, the church speaks the language of the youth. It moves the Gospel out of a historical vacuum and into a context where they understand justice, evidence, advocacy, and truth. Participation turns a passive experience into an active one, inviting young people to explore the ‘why’ behind the faith and to see that Christianity is a living, vibrant community.”
Item: “Come Forth” Venue: Nairobi Chapel, Ngong Road
Youth from St. Joseph Mukasa Kahawa West Catholic Church perform a play titled Veil of Silence during the drama festival at Holy Innocents Tassia Catholic Parish in September 2025.
The play “Come Forth”, which takes the form of a podcast but is being enacted, revisits the story of Lazarus and his resurrection through Jesus’ intervention.
Mr Andrew Odanga of the Nairobi Chapel’s drama ministry said the play was inspired by the words that Jesus uttered as he called Lazarus out of the tomb.
“We know the story: Lazarus had been dead for four days, and Jesus went to the tomb and actually called him out, resurrecting him. Easter, especially Easter Sunday, is really about the resurrection. Christianity is based on the fact that He didn’t just die on the cross, but that He resurrected,” said Mr Odanga.
“The whole play is based on the statement, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ Resurrection is not just an event; it’s a person. Jesus did not only resurrect Lazarus, but He also has the power to resurrect Himself. This gives hope to everyone, showing that we serve a God who can resurrect the dead,” he added.
A unique element of “Come Forth” is its storytelling format.
Said Mr Odanga: “Instead of using a narrator, we tell the story through a podcast. The podcaster interviews two guests, which takes the audience back to the story of Lazarus. One guest, representing Mary Magdalene, shares how the resurrection story began for her with Lazarus. This approach allowed the action on stage to unfold naturally while keeping the audience engaged in a contemporary way.”
The production features a mix of seasoned thespians and new talent.
“We have a spread from very seasoned actors like Benson Ochungo to new entrants like Bilhah Muthui. Actors featured this year include Benson Ochungo, Charity Nyambura, Michael Mwangi, Bilhah Muthui, Antonniah Dennis, and Wyclife Nyabuto. The music, written by Shelah Kagima and performed with Moses Macharia, adds an extra layer to the storytelling,” said Mr Odanga.
Nairobi Chapel has a long-standing tradition of staging powerful plays during Easter and Christmas, with consistent feedback highlighting their spiritual impact.
Odanga said: “Plays have a way of sending messages that people can identify with. At Nairobi Chapel, we often stage them as part of the sermon because over the years we’ve seen that a play can have a greater impact than a sermon alone. People dedicate themselves to God and find hope in Christ through these performances.”
Item: “Journey with Jonah” Venue: Various
The family play “Journey with Jonah” revisits the Bible story of the man sent by God to warn a city, but ran away and faced the consequences.
It is one of the items prepared by Chemi Chemi Players, who also have an item based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The acting group was moving from one stage to another in the days leading up to Easter.
Chemi Chemi Players are led by artistic director Julisa Rowe, who said that the theme for this year’s drama pieces is centred around repentance, mercy, and how people respond to forgiveness. The Good Samaritan story is packaged to be a reflection on guilt, judgment, and the idea of who deserves to be saved.
Ms Rowe said the goal is to help people understand Biblical messages in a fresh way.
“If you do the same thing over and over, people already know what to expect,” she said. “We want to tell the story in a way that makes people think and feel it again.”
Behind the scenes, the preparation goes beyond acting. The team spends time reading scripture, discussing its meaning, and relating it to real-life issues. They talk openly about difficult topics like injustice and suffering, and how faith responds to them. Prayer is also a big part of their process.
“We don’t have all the answers,” Ms Rowe says. “But we bring our questions and struggles and look at what the Bible says.”
For Ms Rowe, the deeper struggle in the story of Jonah is one many people face today. “Do we have a right to be mad when God is merciful?” she asks. “And shouldn’t we take that mercy ourselves?” These are the kinds of questions the group wants the audience to carry home after the performance.
The Chemi Chemi group grew from Ms Rowe’s many years of working in theatre across different countries and in church settings. She started the group in 2022 as a space where artists could explore faith through drama in a safe and respectful environment.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
Reporting by Elvis Ondieki, Jackson Ngari and Michael Ochieng
