Nyeri County is preparing to welcome thousands of learners and teachers for the 64th edition of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, which will run from April 6 to 17 at Kagumo Teachers Training College.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and other partners, will feature performances from pre‑school to university level, making it one of the largest co‑curricular gatherings in the country.
Daily presentations by schools and colleges will take place between April 7 and 13, while gala showcases are scheduled for April 14 and 15. The closing ceremony will be held on April 17.
According to the Ministry’s Director‑General, Dr Elyas Abdi, the programme has been carefully structured to ensure punctuality and smooth flow, given the large number of teams expected.
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Learners will present plays, films, spoken word, and thematic productions aligned to curriculum goals and social issues.
The festival theme this year is “Bold Storyteller, Digital Stages Driving Kenya’s Development Through Theatre and Film.” Organizers say the theme reflects the growing role of creative arts in shaping national identity and development.
The Ministry has issued strict instructions to schools on participation; Teachers accompanying teams must be registered, mature, and responsible, and are required to remain with their students at all times.
Accommodation will be organized in festival villages, with female teachers housed alongside female students and male teachers with male students. “Only registered teachers will be considered official team leaders at any stage of the festival,” Dr. Abdi emphasized.
Transport arrangements will be coordinated by regional directors of education for pre‑school, primary, junior, secondary, and special needs schools. Officers in charge of transport have been directed to ensure that all travel takes place during the day, in line with the government’s 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. policy.
In addition to logistics, the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival executive secretary, Janet Langat, announced that the use of standardized backdrops and back cloths will be piloted during this year’s national event. This move is aimed at improving uniformity and enhancing the visual quality of productions across the board.
“The Pilot will be conducted in a few selected halls to allow room for a smooth transition. Findings from this pilot will inform future directions on this matter,” Langat said.
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Stakeholders in the creative sector have urged the Ministry of Education to establish clear guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They argue that while AI presents immense opportunities for storytellers and performers, it must be regulated in a way that safeguards originality and creativity.
By Masaki Enock
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