More Plays Get banned from National Drama Festivals

This year’s high school drama festivals have been one of a kind especially during the last week when the controversial play ‘shackles of doom’ by Butere girls got banned with claims about it being ethnically inciting sending it trending on social media.It eventually got to be staged last Friday after the court order banning it was lifted and as a result got alot of people turning up to watch it.

The national drama festivals are on the spotlight again and this time round its not just one play but several that have been banned from the festivals.The ministry of Education has banned all plays that are not written by either students or teachers from being presented in the festivals.Permanent secretary Prof. George Godia has requested the National Drama Association to make sure writers do not use the festivals to their advantage in future.He explained that the festivals are meant to enhance student’s creative talents in writing scripts, production of plays and other creative activities that’s why the featured plays should be written by students under the guidance of their teachers.

Prof. George Godia spoke this at the Kenya National Drama Festival Gala at The Aga Khan High School Hall in Mombasa yesterday and the same views were shared by the Chairman of the National Drama festival Kahura Chokera who said that scriptwriters should stop taking advantage of students and instead seek other ways of showcasing their work.In my opinion this is a great move since they have the best interests of the students at heart.

Source: Niaje