H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta Impressed at This Year’s Drama Festivals

The Kenya Schools and Colleges drama festivals staged a state concert for the president at the Mombasa State house.  President Uhuru Kenyatta encouraged Kenyan artists to constantly improve on their performances so as to benefit from the lucrative international market. The President said drama is a major income earner providing a variety of employment opportunities for the youth in the country. “It is encouraging that the festival showcased a cross section of participants drawn from Early Childhood Education Centres, primary and secondary schools, tertiary colleges and universities,” the president said.

H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta

Speaking during the State Concert of the Kenya National Drama Festivals, Kenyatta expressed satisfaction that the drama festival dwelt on key social economic and political challenges that are facing the society. He said in order to promote the performing arts, his government will construct an ultra-modern National Theatre with audio-visual live-links in Nairobi. During the performance at State House Mombasa, David Owira—a student at Highway Secondary School received a standing ovation for his performance in an oral narrative titled ‘Otonglo-time’, which left the President and the guests in stitches. 

“My Government is committed to providing the youth with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be relevant and competitive in the modern global economy,” he said when he hosted winners of the drama festivals at State House, Mombasa. He said he was encouraged by this year’s theme which is “Performance for National Healing and Reconciliation”. The president observed that the performing and creative arts are not only a unique medium of instruction but also an important tool in the social, political and economic development process. “Our various cultures and communities have benefited immensely from messages propagated through oral culture.