Published on March 17, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
tudents are tackling topical issues at this year’s Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF), showcasing 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 were showcasing 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 Ksh 25 million in the festival, supporting county and regional KNDFF committees and rewarding outstanding schools and trainers with certificates, trophies, and cash prizes. This demonstrates its commitment to education and providing a platform for nurturing creativity, talent, and self-expression.
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.
