Learners abuse of technology dominate Nairobi region drama fest

Innovation and digital enhancement dominated this year's Kenya Secondary schools drama festival in Nairobi region.

Resuming on a full scale after a two year break following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival had reached the regional level before it was called off.

Moi Education Centre emerged the overall winner at the on-going Nairobi Region drama fete going on at Moi Girls High School, Nairobi.

Moi Education Centre is the first team to sail to the national drama festival after beating other sixteen teams to win the class and defending the trophy after winning it in 2020.

In their French solo verse titled 'Prisonniere Volontaire' (Voluntary Prisoner) produced and directed by Linet Kiragu is presented by Gloria Wendy depicting the impact of technology and mobile phones on the lives of teenagers today.

A good woven verse shows how a young college girl innocently ask for assistance to access notes but later introduced to irresistible applications of Facebook, Twitter, tik tok.

On the social media, she finds a sponsor who offers her a lavish lifestyle, happiness and love. Unfortunately, she regrets finding love because she acquired the incurable disease AIDS. She reflects back on herself and learns the lesson the hard way.

Highway won the French play themed Talent development under Early Marriage.

The play which was directed by Kate Sakari and produced by Irungu Nduati revolves around a young and talented girl who is set to perform at a renowned musical show.

Unknown to her on the same day she is to stage the performance, her family has organised her engagement to an old wealthy man. Her team members hash a plan to save her from the jaws of a lion. Question is will they succeed?

Parklands Arya Girls High School scooped the best French choral after beating eight other teams.

Also creativity was evident through the dances, play and narrative staged on day two of the event.

Narrative performed by Ofafa Jericho high school shows a silent village which has risen to produce creative and prominent people in the society. When they rise, they vie for elective positions which after being voted in office, they relocate to suburbs where they are hardly accessible.

The promises on improving transport, health and education are pipe dreams to achieve after the five year term. The narrative is produced by Anthony Thuo and directed by Vincent Okari.

Aquinas High School staged their play depicting a political satire, exposing the atrocities politicians commit against electorates, a screen verse, a story that emphasized on inclusivity.

Through their play Outcast, produced by Stephen Gathii and directed by Ms Matara, a student who has albinism is discriminated against at school and at home because of his condition.

The grandmother bribes a student to make life in school a living hell. The father travels abroad and is supposed to spend a year there but when doing medical tests it's realised that he can't sire children anymore so that makes the child with albinism his only child.

He comes at the nick of time when the grandmother wants to sacrifice his son, he informs her that he can't sire kids any more, she's devastated and goes to school to apologize.

Mayan forgives all of them including the students who really bullied him.

The school also presented a stellar performance with a creative cultural dance and a solo comedy act.

Apostolic Carmel Girls performed a choral verse titled Peremende za Pipi depicting the rampant use of drugs amongst students in schools.

Scripted and directed by Richard Mwania and Martin Mwanzia, reveals new tactics the learners have devised on peddling drugs and sneaking them into the schools that have beaten the intelligence of teachers and school security.

''The schools have been outsmarted the administration by the innovative ways learners device every day to sneak drugs in schools which are only realised by the new technology of CCTV cameras,'' Mwanzia said.

Nairobi Region Chairman Vincent Akuka, said for the two days, the schools had exhibited a high level of creativity and innovation through this year's theme Futuring Digital Transformation through theatre and Film.

''The resumption of a fully-fledged festival this year is a great relief for our learners to showcase creativity that had been halted in the last two years. We have witnessed thrilling performances which indicate Nairobi will seed creative items to the Nationals,'' Akuka said.

Three winners in each category will proceed to Mombasa for the national drama festival expected to begin from April 20-30, 2023 at Shimo la Tewa high school.