Kenya Theatre Awards 2025: Full list of winners

The night was ushered in with captivating performances, glamorous outfits, and artists getting feted.

Kenya Theatre Awards (KTA) 2025 was held at the Kenya National Theatre on Thursday night to honour this generation of theatre artists and industry icons. 

Chatterbox’s ‘Lwanda Otero’ shone with 10 awards, Too Early for Birds’ ‘Tom Mboya’ had four awards, together with the feted Best Director that went to Mugambi Nthiga, and Igiza Arts Production took Theatre Company of the Year and two more awards.

A new category, ‘Jury’s Special Award’ was introduced this year and it went to 64 Theatre founder Cosmas Bii.

The 2024 KTA Jury Chairperson, Suki Wanza, said that the votes were incredibly many this year with the highest at 1,170 for the Best Storytelling Production category that went to Too Early for Birds. This big number of public votes overturned the Jury vote in three categories.  

“It was encouraging that all the nominees went out of their way to get people to vote for them. The ones who won did so with a big margin. Some categories however had narrow margins of five or six votes between the winner and the first runners up,” Suki notes.

“With the interest that has been witnessed with the voting and promotions, we can confidently say that the Kenya Theatre Awards are strongly embraced by the industry,” says Wanza.

The Jury also pointed out that most of the productions staged in 2024 were original.   

Below are the winners of the 2025 Kenya Theatre Awards.

Best Adaptation    

'Lwanda Otero' - Chatterbox -Winner      

‘Mgonjwa Mwitu’ – Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

‘In Other Words’ – Chemichemi Players

‘Sanctuary’ – Prevail Presents Limited

‘1984’ – Under Debate

Best Breakthrough Female Performer

Cynthia Nzuki – ‘Legacy’ - International Christian Centre Nairobi - Winner

Elsie Mumbua – ‘The Bride’ – Kenyatta University

Precious Apidi – ‘Guns & Roses’ – Son of Man Theatre Productions

Mary Favour – ‘know Your Scent’ – Martina Ayoro

Seben Wainaina – ‘Daiverse’ – Irooto Productions

Best Breakthrough Male Performer

Sam Ouma – ‘The Miser’ – Igiza Arts Production - Winner

Cosmas Kirui – ‘Antigone’ – Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Samuel Tirop – ‘Oret’ – 64 Theatre

Hawi Ondego – ‘Repeat After Me’ – Khalaha

Elvis Kiarie – ‘Mgonjwa Mwitu’ – Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Best Children’s Play

‘Lion King’ – The Banda School - Winner

‘Coppellia’ – Dance Centre Kenya

‘Alladin’ – Braeburn Players

‘Matilda’ – Aga Khan Academy Nairobi Senior School

‘The Little Mermaid’ – The Academy of Dance And Art Limited

Best Costumes Design

Mitch Bushry – ‘Albatross Wings of Freedom’ – Youth Theatre Kenya - Winner

Amy Ni Riada – ‘Shrek the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

Kevo Abbra – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox

Heidi Wright & Ansley Garner – ‘Sound of Music’ – Rosslyn Academy

Veronica Kitaka – ‘The Little Mermaid’ – The Academy of Dance And Art Limited  

Best Dance Theatre

‘Coppellia’ – ‘Coppellia’ – Dance Centre Kenya - Winner

‘Messiah is Coming’ – ‘Messiah is Coming’ – Nairobi Lighthouse Church

‘The Little Mermaid’ – ‘The Little Mermaid’ – The Academy of Dance And Art Limited

‘Ma’adha’ - ‘Ma’adha’ – Jackson Atulo

Best Director

Mugambi Nthiga – ‘Tom Mboya’ – Too Early for Birds - Winner

Stuart Nash – ‘Scrooge’- Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Jazz Moll – ‘Albatross Wings of Freedom’ – Young Theatre Kenya

Nyokabi Macharia – ‘Daiverse’ – Irooto Productions

Santa Mukabanah – ‘Sanctuary’ – Prevail Presents Limited

Best Kikwetu Production

‘Theca Nja’ – ‘Theca Nja’ – Andu A Mumbi Production - Winner

‘Oret’ (Nandi version) – ‘Oret’ (Nandi version) – 64 Theatre

‘Nengera Indo’ - ‘Nengera Indo’ – Mastercut Entertainment

‘Naku Amba Eka’ – ‘Naku Amba Eka’ – Heartstrings Entertainment

Best Learning Institution (Schools)

Braeburn School – Gitanga Road - Winner

Woodcreek School

The Banda School

Aga Khan Academy

Rosslyn Academy

Best Learning Institution (Universities)

Kenyatta University - Winner

KCA University

University of Nairobi

Best Lighting Design

Jasper Miedema – ‘Shrekk, the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics - Winner

Alacoque Ntome & Charles Wairimu – ‘Dedan Kimathi’ – Woodcreek School

Joanna Garner & Wilfred Onyango – ‘Alladin’ – Braeburn Players

Jazz Moll & Wilfred Onyango – ‘Albatross Wings of Freedom’ – Youth Theatre Kenya

Juliet Duckworth – ‘The Little Mermaid’ – The Academy of Dance And Art Limited

Best Music Score, Arrangement or Adaptation

Alice Kimanzi & Niqq Kerah – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

International Christian Centre Nairobi – ‘Legacy’ - International Christian Centre Nairobi

Mary Flavour – ‘Know Your Scent’ – Martina Ayoro

Liboi – ‘Whispers of Power’ – Liboi

‘Daiverse’ – ‘Daiverse’ – Irooto Productions

Best Musical Theatre Production

‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

Shrekk The Musical – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

‘Scrooge’ – Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

‘Matilda’ – Aga Khan Academy Nairobi Senior School

‘Legacy’ – International Christian Centre Nairobi

Best Original Choreography in a Musical/ Play

Seth Guya – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

Jonah Kamau – ‘Legacy’ -  International Christian Centre Nairobi

Rainbow Field – ‘Shrekk the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

Bosco Boro (Aladeen) – ‘Scrooge’ -  Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Copper Rust & Caroline Slot – ‘Cats’ – Dance Centre Kenya

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role in a Musical

Emma Whithill – ‘Shrekk, the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics - Winner

Amy Muthoni – ‘Legacy’ - International Christian Centre Nairobi

Alison Nyawira – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox

Lorna Lemi – ‘Sarafina’ -  Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Play)

Pris Laura Achieng – ‘Noisemakers’ – Round Wide K - Winner

Edna Kariuki – ‘An Ideal Husband’ – Igiza Arts Production

Julisa Rowe – ‘In Other Words’ – Chemichemi Players

Martina Ayoro – ‘Know Your Scent’ – Martina Ayoro

Chadota Ida – ‘Repeat After Me’ – Khalaha

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Monologue

Nyokabi Macharia – ‘Tom Mboya’ – Too Early for Birds - Winner

Chadota Ida – ‘When They First Found Me’ – 6Gs Production

Hellen Keli – ‘Elements’ - Beyond The Mainstream

Muthoni Gatheca – ‘Blooms in the Dark’ – Creative Garage

Njeri Wagakuo – ‘Blooms in the Dark’ – Creative Garage

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Play)

Muthoni Gatheca – ‘Blooms in the Dark’ – Creative Garage - Winner

Rotem Yaniv-Cohen – ‘1984’ – Under Debate

Joyce Mathenge – ‘Hutia Kahaco’ – Andu A Mumbi Production

Edna Kariuki – ‘Severed Justice’ – Igiza Arts Production

Wakio Mzenge – ‘Mgonjwa Mwitu’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Auudi Rowa – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

Hellen Mtawali – ‘Sarafina’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Kerry Kagiri – ‘Legacy’ – International Christian Centre Nairobi

Wakio Mzenge – ‘Scrooge’ -  Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role in a Musical

Agengo Ogone – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

Samson Omondi – ‘The Sanhedrin’ – Nairobi Chapel

Peter Wood – ‘Shrekk, the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

Gadwill Odhiambo – ‘Sarafina’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Play)

Daniel Hird – ‘1984’ – Under Debate - Winner

Sam Psenjen – ‘Scrooge’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Bilal Wanjau – ‘Mgonjwa Mwitu’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Charles Gachanja – ‘Shadows of the Cloth’ – Chisaina Arts

Humphrey Maina – ‘Theci Noore’ – Andu A Mumbi Production

Best Male Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue

Ngartia Bryan – ‘Daiverse’ – Irooto Productions - Winner

Elsaphan Njora – ‘Tom Mboya’ – Too Early for Birds

Abu Sense – ‘Tom Mboya’ – Too Early for Birds

Josiah Kiprop Kiptoo – ‘Mukabira’ – 64 Theatre

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Play)

Eric Chege – ‘Theca Nja’ – Andu A Mumbi Production - Winner

Cosmas Kirui – ‘Antigone’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Benson Ochungo – ‘Scrooge’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Rexie Ndoria – ‘Mpaka’ – Khweva

Baraza Major – ‘Backstreet 2’ – Millaz Productions

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Nyakundi Isaboke – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

Benson Ochungo - Scrooge’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Martin Kigondu – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox

Ephraim Kimani – ‘Cats’ – Dance Centre Kenya

Best Performance by a Young Female Actor

Ariana Kagotho – ‘Dedan Kimathi’ – Woodcreek School - Winner

Anvi Singh – ‘Matilda’ – Aga Khan Academy Nairobi Senior School

Martina Haugland – ‘Sound of Music’ – Rosslyn Academy

Leandra Wachai – ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ – Brookhouse School

Ava Stow – ‘The Lion King’ – The Banda School

Best Performance by a Young Male Actor

Danny Kathungu – ‘Sound of Music’ – Rosslyn Academy - Winner

Namiri Chiroma – ‘Dedan Kimathi’ – Woodcreek School

Timothy Childs – ‘Sound of Music’ – Rosslyn Academy

Benjamin Telani - ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ – Brookhouse School

Best Playwright – Original Script

Martin Abuya – ‘Flight 1963’ – Igiza Arts Production - Winner

Victor Muyekwe – ‘Mzigo wa Moto’ – Chisaina Arts

Mavin Kibicho – ‘In Sickness and in Health’ – Son of Man Productions

Michael Mwangi – ‘Repeat After Me’ – Khalaha

Saumu Kombo – ‘Backstreet 2’ – Millaz Productions

 Best Producer

Gathoni Kimuyu – Too Early for Birds - Winner

Cosmas Bii – 64 Theatre

Shiko Ngure & Ciru Njoroge – Irooto Productions

Hawi Oguna – Chatterbox

Wangui wa Ngina – Andu A Mumbi Production

Wreiner Mandu – Igiza Arts Production

Best Production

‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

‘Shrekk the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

‘Tom Mboya’ – Too Early for Birds

‘Daiverse’ – Irooto Productions

Best Set Design

Nancy Aluoch - ‘Dedan Kimathi’ – Woodcreek School - Winner

Joep Van Binsbergen – ‘Coppellia’ – Dance Centre Kenya

Kate Gardiner & Lee Crew – ‘Shrekk, the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

Joanna Garner & Taryn Bebbington – Alladin – Braeburn Players

Arnold Osano – ‘Little Mermaid’ – The Academy of Dance And Art

Best Sound Design

Mike Mbugua – ‘Lwanda Otero’ – Chatterbox - Winner

Joanna Garner – ‘Alladin’ – Braeburn Players

Abu Sense – ‘Sanctuary’ – Prevail Presents

Charles Stephen – ‘The Love Bomb Edition’ – Maina Mind Production

Herman Tosh Gitonga – ‘Daiverse’ – Irooto Productions

Best Spoken Word Production

‘Daiverse’ - Irooto Productions - Winner

‘The Love Bomb Edition’ - Maina Mind Production

‘You Remind me of Someone’ – Mufasa & Gufy

‘Womine Experience’ – Revolutionary Spitter

Best Stage Managed Production

Mercy Wangui – ‘Scrooge’ - Nairobi Performing Arts Studio - Winner

Kate Gardiner – ‘Shrekk, the Musical’ – Kenya Amerture Dramatics

Mitchell Mulari – ‘Coppellia’ – Dance Centre Kenya

Harlene Singh – ‘Alice by Heart’ – Braeburn School

Chanel Mckenzie – ‘Lion King’ – The Banda School

Best Story-telling Production

‘Tom Mboya’ – Too Early for Birds - Winner

‘When They First Found Me!’ – 6Gs Production

‘First Draft’ – Eric Wainaina

Best Two-Hander Production

‘In Other Words’ – Chemichemi Players - Winner

‘Sanctuary’ – Prevail Presents Limited

‘Shadows of the Cloth’ – Chisaina Arts

‘Numbers’ – Joseph Obel & Esther Kamba

‘Loose Ends’ – Son of Man Productions

Theatre Company of the Year

Igiza Arts Production - Winner

Heartstrings Entertainment

Son of Man Productions

Andu A Mumbi Production

Nairobi Performing Arts Studio

Jury’s Special Award – Cosmas Bii

World Impact Award – Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative

Lifetime Achievement Award – Trios Gathwe

Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumous) – Anne Wanjugu

Ushirika Award – HEVA Fund