By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-25 11:01:20
The unveiling ceremony for the annual Kenya Theatre Awards was held at Talanta Plaza and was led by Kenya’s Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports cabinet secretary, Ababu Nambwamba. The awards are a celebration of the vibrant and diverse landscape of theatrical productions in Kenya and are part of the talent monitization agenda powered by the TalantaHela initiative, as the government intensifies its mission to reward excellence in sports and the creative arts sector. Nambwamba stressed the importance of valuing and compensating creatives across the spectrum, including music, film, theatre, and fashion, sending a clear message that talent must pay well.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to take deliberate steps to improve the status and lives of those who make a living from their talent. These awards are not just a recognition of excellence in the theatrical arts, but also a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and innovation that defines Kenya’s theatrical community. Nambwamba praised the organizers for the remarkable growth of the awards, from 33 shows in 2021 to 443 productions in 2023, with the active participation of 131 theatre companies.
Voting for the awards opened online on January 23 and will close on February 13 at 23:59 PM. The awards cover various categories including best musical theatre production, best musical score, arrangement or adaptation, best original choreography in a musical/play, and more. They also recognize breakthrough male and female performers, as well as leading and supporting roles in both musicals and plays.
Some of the nominees for the best performance in a leading role in a play include Yafesi Musoke for “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Benson Ochungo for “Sirano wa Begeraki,” and Wanjiku Mwawuganga for “Echoes.” Ababu Nambwamba commended the growth of the awards, noting that it had gone from a modest 33 shows in 2021 to 443 productions in 2023, with the participation of 131 theatre companies. The winners of the awards were set to be announced on a later date. The event was hailed as a positive step towards recognizing and honoring the talent and creativity within Kenya’s theatre industry.
