Ruto to host State House drama gala in Nakuru tomorrow
The 2025 drama festival drew widespread public interest after Butere Girls High School failed to perform after the controversial ban on their play titled Echoes of War
President William Ruto is set to host the winners of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival tomorrow at the Nakuru State House.
The State House concert will have the president get to experience performances from the schools that excelled at the National level.
Among the schools expected to present to the head of state are Moi High School, Mbiruri and Kanyuambora High School and Kangaru High School, all from Embu County.
The concert is always the climax of the annual Drama festivals in the Country.
The 2025 edition is being held in Nakuru, a strategic move that aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to decentralize national events and promote regional inclusion.
Nakuru was recently granted city status and has become a hub for education, culture, and innovation.
An invitation to members of the press indicated that the performance will begin at 10:00 AM, with the State House Press Secretary Emanuel Talaam asking the media to submit their details for clearance to access the venue.
The 2025 drama festival drew widespread public interest after Butere Girls High School failed to perform after the controversial ban on their play titled Echoes of War.
The piece, which delved into politically sensitive themes by the playwright Cleophas Malala, ignited a national debate and attracted mixed reactions from education stakeholders and the public.
This was the second time the school was being banned after the same incident happened in 2013, though they were later allowed to perform by the court.
In this year’s controversy, the young girls chose not to perform after the arrest of their playwright, who was to direct them.
The girls also cited frustration with the police and intimidation as they complained the bus with their props was never allowed into the venue, hence difficulty in performing.
The festival, which has run for decades, showcases a wide array of theatrical and cinematic talent, ranging from plays and cultural dances to films and modern digital storytelling.
