English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal FC has become a subject of ridicule at the ongoing Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama and Film Festival at Kagumo Diploma Teachers Training College in Nyeri.
For the nine days of artistic presentations, stand-up comedians and oral narrative performers have repeatedly singled out Arsenal as a team that plays attractive football but wins no trophies.
In one standout moment, a comedian from Chuka Boys stepped off the stage and approached Director of Field Coordination Mr Nelson Sifuna, engaging him in a light exchange.
“Nyinyi wazee munasemanga mmeona mengi, sindio?” he posed.“Lakini kuna kitu hujawahi kuona… umewahi kuona Arsenal wamebeba kikombe?”
Arsenal’s misfortunes also featured in scripted performances. In the play The Jackpot by Shimo La Tewa School, a teacher named Hawi loses a betting jackpot twice after Arsenal “loses a match they were not supposed to lose.”
The Kenya Institute of Mass Communication added to the theme with a film titled Madueke—named after an English winger associated with Arsenal—symbolising missed opportunities.
Meanwhile, Busolo Lusweti, Vice Chairman of KUPPET Bungoma, said the future of the drama festival lies in film, noting that many of the productions have the potential to market Kenyan culture globally.
“KUPPET encourages teachers to participate in these new genres as they mirror the new curriculum,” he said.
Away from the Arsenal jokes, the festival has delivered a rich mix of performances.
Mukumu Girls JS presents a Modern dance during the 64th Kenya National Drama and Film Festival at Kagumo Teachers Training College on April 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi| Nation Media Group
Dagoretti High School impressed with their cultural creative dance Tikiti, inspired by the chaos surrounding fake tickets during the Mashemeji Derby at Talanta Stadium. The performance recreated the electric atmosphere, complete with chants of “Ingwee, Ingwee!” after AFC Leopards’ victory over Gor Mahia.
Mount Kenya University the overall winners of the 64th Kenya National Drama and Film Festival at Kagumo Teachers Training College on April 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi |Nation Media Group
Jamhuri Schools also thrilled audiences with a Gor Mahia-themed dance celebrating club legend Amisi Gloire, depicting a heroic rescue of a kidnapped child, with chants of “Gor biro yauneyoo ” filling the hall.
Maranda High School’s play The Misfits, produced by Chief Principal Dr Edwin Namachanja, stood out as a showstopper. The emotionally charged performance explored identity and redemption through a boy who unintentionally rises to fame tied to his bully.
Alliance High School staged a gripping play about a rebellious son of a police Inspector General, whose actions spiral into crime, reflecting themes of privilege and accountability.
Chesamis School entertained with Chabarua, an oral narrative celebrating the art of letter writing. The humorous piece featured a love letter gone wrong, drawing laughter with its witty ending.
Meru School plays about the importance of Community Radio during the 64th Kenya National drama and Film festival at Kagumo Teachers Training College on April 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi| Nation Media Group
Overcoming Faith School Kakamega delivered a powerful choral verse, Mkokoteni Migodini, tackling poverty and exploitation. The story of a desperate mother forced to sell her children, only for them to survive a tragic mining explosion, left a strong emotional impact.
St Peter’s Shikondi Junior School impressed with Kozi Bomba, a thought-provoking choral verse exploring the tension between Arts and Science pathways. The performance concluded with a powerful message that no career path is superior, urging learners to embrace their unique talents.
Bunyore TTC presented the Scholarship Ship, highlighting the struggles of unemployed graduates who seek opportunities abroad, only to face exploitation before eventually finding dignity and employment back home.
Kenyatta University Students Elorgy Singh, Roslyne Moraa, and Frank Munene perform a Cultural Creative Dance titled at the Kenya Drama and Film Festival 2026.
Photo credit: Anthony Njagi |Nation Media Group
Joy Gardens School’s The Hot Seat, performed by Shahida Makazi and Dennis Ochieng, brought a modern twist with a live broadcast-style piece addressing integrity, technology and problem-solving among learners.
Githurai Comprehensive School stood out for its costuming in a choral verse about urban cleanliness, while Marsabit Girls, the “Desert Queens,” captivated audiences with Game of Silence, a play addressing retrogressive cultural practices that hinder girls’ education in northern Kenya.
