Students savour victory as return of drama festivals draws excitement

They toppled perennial winners Kakamega High School whose legendary Oliver Minishi left the school through delocalisation and had a short stint at Nanyuki High and now retired.

But in his retirement, he produced a winning solo verse by Fesbeth Academy from Kakamega beating Musa Gitau and Limuru Model School presented by Georgina Basil both from Central.

But PCEA Kangema from Central saved the day with a winning Choral Verse titled The Dream produced by Rosemary Kago. It depicted the advantages of the new curriculum CBC.

Gionseri Primary and M.M Shah Primary Schools from Nyanza were first and second runners up respectively.

Lang'ata Road Primary, Gacharage Primary and St Vincent Primary were the top groups in the Oral Narrative category coming first, second and third in the order.

Nyali Primary School made history after emerging as the best play with TickTock, a rare feat never achieved before by a Coastal School. Westlands Primary School came second with Partey After Partey directed by veteran Hannington Ochieng' but the school emerged top with the Best Feature Film, Story Yangu.

"I'm happy for the strong showing by teams from the Coast. It is a good indication of good teamwork between teachers and parents," said Philip Mbinji, the director of the Coast Chorus Music Academy.

Migosi Primary School from Kisumu also came first for the very first time in the cultural dance category where private schools have dominated in the past.

This Public School produced by Roselyne Gwada beat Arap Moi from Tana River and Rae Kanyaika to second and third position respectively.

Sabatia Technical and Vocational College caused another upset when they won in both the play and the cultural creative dance. Their items Esese and Ghosts of Garbatullah respectively were a fresh injection into the fete with simple and entertaining storylines.

Kasarni TVC won with their stand up comedy presented by Gloria Orina as she explored the trails of freshmen when they join college.

Erusui Girls Secondary School brough the issue of lifestyle diseases to the fore when they brought up Tempest, a solo verse on the cancer menace by Esther Achieng.

Eldoret national polytechnic was on fire when they presented a comedy Kanyaga Ndani directed by Paul Kisilu. It was a light touch reflection of the travails of life that Kenyans go through every day by Cleophas Kiprotich a.k.a Bartinga.

Ramula Secondary School wasn't left behind with yet another rib-cracking comedy presented by Ian Okora that juxtaposed the quintessential visit by a father vs a mother at the school.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology entertained with their modern dance Bitter Sweet Symphony on banditry and terrorism written by Allan were and produced by Prof Victoria Ngumi.

Similarly, Kibabii TTC presented a play on cattle rustling.