The Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF) has allowed students to showcase their talent and creativity through performances exploring the digital economy, vaccination campaigns, femicide,
and Gender Based Violence.
The festival, themed "Leveraging Technology to Nurture Talent
While Inculcating National Values for Social Economic Prosperity," also
features entries exploring the potential and pitfalls of AI” with regional
competitions underway across the country, from Nyanza, Central, Coast, Rift
Valley, Eastern, Western, North Eastern, to Nairobi.
In Nairobi, at Moi Girls School in Kibra, Vincent Akuka, Chair of
Drama Secondary Nairobi Region, noted that students showcased their
performances across 11 genres, from plays to creative cultural dances, modern
dance, narratives, coral verses and solo verses.
"Our students are not shying away from difficult
conversations," said Akuka.
"We've seen powerful performances addressing Gender Based Violence, femicide, and even the importance of vaccinating cattle (based on the
nationwide debate around this topic). The scriptwriters are going for issues
that are topical in the country, demonstrating a keen awareness of the
challenges facing our society. I want to thank the Equity Bank management
because this year they have come in strongly to support the festival.”
As the title sponsor, Equity Bank invested Sh25 million in the
festival, supporting county and regional KNDFF committees and rewarding
outstanding schools and trainers with certificates, trophies, and cash prizes.
Speaking at Moi Girls School, Martin Wachira, Equity Branch Manager Kilimani, said :
"Equity Bank believes that education is the cornerstone of
societal transformation. We are excited to partner with KNDFF to create
opportunities for young people in the creative arts and to support their
exploration of critical social issues."
He added:
"Through our Equity
Leadership Program, former students are mentoring the next generation, sharing
secrets to their success. We're also providing financial solutions and literacy
programs to empower teachers and stakeholders, ensuring a safe and supportive
learning environment for all, from energy-saving solutions to eco-friendly
cooking. Beyond this, we're committed to offering financial solutions tailored
to the education sector, including digital platforms for easy transactions,
loans for teachers, and financial literacy programs for students including how
to open an achievers account with no opening fee, minimum operating balance,
monthly charges or maintenance fees.”
The KNDFF regional competitions will continue across the country,
concluding on Saturday, March 15, before the event proceeds to the national festival in Nakuru in
April.
Equity Bank, in collaboration with KNDFF and the support of the
Ministry of Education, has been working with schools to motivate learners and
trainers, to enable them to prepare for an outstanding National Festival.
This initiative was to inspire talented students to consider art
as a career, and ensure creativity thrives within the education system,
fostering sustainable enterprises that generate jobs and transform communities.
