Social themes take centre stage as National Drama Festival opens

Learners across the country are expected to address major national concerns, including corruption, ethical leadership, environmental conservation and mental health awareness during the 2026 Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, which has kicked off in Nyeri.

The event brings together thousands of students from primary, junior secondary, senior schools, and tertiary institutions in one of Kenya’s most influential platforms for artistic expression, creativity and social commentary.

Cultural creative dance performances are also expected to celebrate Kenya’s diverse heritage while exploring the tension between tradition and modernity.

Beyond politics and social commentary, financial literacy and digital transformation are also expected to feature prominently in this year’s productions.

The festival has received support from Equity Bank, which is encouraging students to explore the role of technology in financial services through the sub-theme “Leveraging Technology to Make Banking a Lifestyle — from a place you go to something you do.”

Through the partnership, students will stage performances inspired by how digital banking and financial inclusion are reshaping everyday life in communities.

Other productions will highlight gender-based violence, body shaming and the pressures facing young people navigating identity and relationships in the digital age.

Organised by the Ministry of Education, the annual festival provides a national stage where learners use theatre, poetry, dance and film to interrogate pressing social issues affecting society.

This year’s edition is expected to feature performances that tackle themes such as leadership and accountability, youth empowerment, digital transformation, gender equality and social justice.

Students will compete in several categories, including plays, cultural creative dance, narrative, choral verse, solo verse and modern dance.

The productions, which qualified from regional festivals, reflect the political, social and cultural conversations shaping the country today.

Over the years, the national drama festival has nurtured some of Kenya’s most influential creatives in theatre, film and television, with many professional actors, writers and directors tracing their roots to the competition.

According to Nairobi Region festival chairman Vincent Akuka, the country’s political climate is likely to influence many scripts performed during the festival.

“Being a political year, we expect political themes, but in a very salient way. It will not be pronounced as it was last year,” said Akuka.

“Students of literature are very clever. They will use symbols to represent what is happening on stage. It will not be very direct. It will be satirical. They may use a school principal to illustrate how a president or a minister should behave.”

He noted that drama has historically been a powerful tool for social reflection, enabling young people to critique leadership and societal values through creative storytelling.

“What we see on stage mirrors what happens in society, and we cannot run away from it,” he said. “Satire has always been a powerful tool for correcting leaders.”

From the regional qualifiers, several schools have advanced to the national stage in the play category, including Vitengeni Baptist Secondary School, Shimo La Tewa High School, Meru School, Kaaga Girls High School, Karima Girls High School, Githunguri Girls High School, Fesbeth Academy, Vihiga High School, Riara Group of Schools, Precious Blood Riruta, Maranda High School, Maseno School, Koelel High School and Laiser Hill Academy.

In the poetry and choral verse categories, schools such as Bungoma High School, Precious Blood Riruta and Moi Girls Isinya will present productions that interrogate themes of patriotism, national unity and the role of young people in shaping the country’s future.

For students, the festival provides a platform to express their voices, challenge social norms and propose solutions to the issues affecting their communities.

The festival will culminate in gala performances hosted by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, before the best productions are showcased at a special gala at the State Lodge in Nyeri, attended by William Ruto.