Drama Festival 2025: Mukuuni & Buruburu Girls Steal the Show in Nakuru!

The 92nd Kenya National Drama and Film Festival concluded today, April 15, 2025, in Nakuru, marking a vibrant celebration of youth creativity and storytelling. This year's theme, "Liberating Technology to Nurture Talent While Inculcating Value for Social Prosperity," inspired performances that tackled contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence, femicide, and livestock vaccination debates 🏆 Top Performers and Winning Schools 1. Mukuuni High School (Eastern Region) In a surprising turn, Mukuuni High School clinched the top spot in the play category with their production Player N. The play narrates the story of Jabali, a boy from a bandit-prone area whose football talent is nurtured by a dedicated coach, inspiring community transformation

.​ 2. Moi Nairobi Girls Secondary School Their choral verse Angela, produced by Margaret Njaga and directed by Mwalawati Amondo, earned them top honors. The piece tells the poignant tale of a house girl who overcomes negative influences during school vacations, highlighting themes of resilience and self-determination .​ 3. Buruburu Girls Secondary School Dominating the traditional dance category, Buruburu Girls' performance Jalupo won accolades for best soloist (Mercy Deborah), choreography, costumes, and decor. The dance showcased rich cultural narratives with exceptional artistry .​ 4. Migosi Primary School (Kisumu) Successfully defending their title, Migosi Primary impressed with their cultural creative dance Otonglo, reflecting the school's commitment to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage .​

5. Kangaru School As hosts, Kangaru School excelled in the modern creative dance category, securing first place with a performance that combined innovative choreography and compelling storytelling. They were followed by Kodero Bara and Tumaini School in second and third places, respectively .​ 🎭 Notable Moments and Highlights Emerging Themes: This year's festival saw a surge in performances addressing pressing societal issues. Students boldly explored topics like artificial intelligence, gender-based violence, and public health concerns, demonstrating a deep engagement with current affairs .​

Increased Participation: The festival witnessed a significant rise in participation, with over 23,000 students involved, up from 15,000 the previous year. This growth underscores the festival's expanding influence and the increasing interest in performing arts among Kenyan youth .​ Sponsorship and Support: Equity Bank's substantial sponsorship of Ksh. 25 million played a pivotal role in the festival's success. The funds facilitated rewards for outstanding performances and supported various competition levels, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talent .​ 🎬 Film and Documentary Showcase The festival's film segment featured compelling entries, including Kiamwangi Day Secondary School's movie The Ultimate Move and documentary Taming Road Carnage. These works highlighted the students' storytelling prowess and technical skills, contributing to the festival's diverse artistic expressions .​ Nation 👏 Looking Ahead The festival's culmination sets the stage for a state concert later this week, where President William Ruto is expected to honor the winners. This recognition not only celebrates the students' achievements but also reinforces the festival's role in shaping Kenya's cultural and creative landscape .​ For a visual glimpse into the festival's vibrant performances and moments, . ---