Central Region
This is the region that according to some of the people I have spoken to has "Kingpins" of the festival.....Hehehehehehe i know you're wondering why i called them that but i'm only reitarating what others have expressed. And i can not be accused of being subjective when covering this region because i once consulted here for 4years.
So here it goes.....
Joseph Murungu on the right is the undisputed oldest consultant . Murungu has worked with Trikha Girls, Kabare Girls, Thika High, Limuru Girls, Njiiris School, Muranga High and Maryhill Girls. This guy has an immeasurable amount of experience in the festival. He can make a very serious matter in today's life look very trivial on stage with a comic approach yet deliver his message. He is one man who can script two or three plays and they take the winning bracket one after the other. An experienced Director/Adjudicator who is very willing to help and offer advice where need be. If you do not spot him on the National Bench, you are sure to spot him on the rapporteurs' desk!
Munene Wa Mumbi (center) is another well known consultant/director in Central Region. He has worked with institutions such as Mugoiri Girls, Tumutumu Girls, Nyeri High among others. Munene started of as a performer in school and representing KIMC at the National Festivals during his hay days as a student at the institution. An avid film scriptwriter/director, Munene has been a facilitator and adjudicator in our festival most recently being on the National Bench in 2015. A very good friend who will not shy away from reprimanding you when you're not on the right track and very sociable. The only genre this guy hasn't attempted is in the festival is Dance. This guy even scripted/directed "Musical Chairs" 2007, a Kikuyu Choral Verse that was one of the winning verses that year! An amazing comedian and Producer/Presenter with Inooro FM.
Nelson Rambez Gitonga Director St. Marys Boys - Nyeri, is a young Director with alot of promise to do great things. Always humble and quick to point out that he will not engage in any form of back and forth with regards to results of the festival. A good soul that will definitely do well in the festival!
Peter "Labo" Ndung'u, here i might be biased because i know him as a former schoolmate, former member of the Kenyan Boys Choir, worked together in Maryhill, a very good friend of mine and also my mother treats him better than she treats me. Awkward i know!!!!! Anyway, this guy is an amazing instrumentalist and choreographer. Has worked with Maryhill Girls and Karima Girls (perenial runners-up winning dance for the last six years). A talented guy who rests after perfecting everything!
Waswa Derrick has been a performer in the festival in the genre of narratives mainly but has grown out of his shell to become one of the play directors who are not to be underated in this region. He has worked with Maryhill Girls before and was with Baricho High last year. The Swahili Play that represented the region in Nakuru in 2015. He has also been working with his alma matter K.U. We await Baricho high this year Derrick.
Johnson Wa Nyaguthii is another veteran in the festival especially in Choral Verses. He has worked with Kangubiri Girls for quite some time as well as Thogoto TTC. This guy is also very well known in Highlands region where he works with Kaaga Girls with some beautiful English chorals (i must say this genre-English is really lacking in the festival). Kudos Johnson.
Smollo Andrew director Kirwara Boys, has been in the festival as a performer with Vihiga Boys and East Africa Media Institute respectively. A very talented actor and is headed in the right direction as he is now scripting and directing his own plays. Kudos Smollo and hope to see more from you.
Dan Najoli & David Kibe Mido are the dynamic duo that is directing Rarakwa Girls. They may look young but have managed to take a play to the Nationals from this region (2014 - in Nyeri). All the best guys. I will also cover them when i discuss Mau region soon as i have info on some schools where they are suspected of having scripts in.
Anne Karonji is a teacher by proffession. Was a science teacher at Senior Chief Koinange till she left to further her studies. Now a scholar! Ann has choreographed at Loreto Limuru and even Senior Chief. An experienced facilitator and adjudicator with an amazing personality. If Ann is not your friend yet you know her then you must be having a problem. As of 2015, she was with Iriaini Girls. All the best Ann.
Job Masika is the true definition of a proud "Bukusu" man. Hehehehehehehehehe an alumni of Chesamisi Boys and a former Best Narrator (2002 - Imondo), Job is just the person to sit with when you've had a stressful day. He's comedy itself. If you've known him for a while, this guy will amke you laugh even without speaking. Though at times you may not hear what he says due to the speed of words that are being spewed from his bucal cavity. He has worked with St. Goerges Girls, USIU, Utawala Academy, Nairobi Academy, Moi Girls School Nairobi, St. Francis Mang'u and Bishop Gatimu Ngandu. Job is a talented script writer and Direcor. Can't wait to have a laughing session with this guy!
Emmanuel Weyusia is a teacher by proffession. A friendly guy who is actually a very good critique. Little did i know that he scripts and directs Narratives till he won in the Narratives Secondary Schools category last year 2015. We hope you will retain the honors this year teacher!
Fred Omondi is the really dark guy on the right of the photo. This guy is one amazing friend and his laughter will just make you laugh whether you like it or not. Scriptwriter and Director who's been working with Alliance Girls since time in memorial and Kikuyu Day. Facilitator extraordinaire and one guy who loves items that are beyond our usual 3D lifestyle. Script an item that shows the struggle between man and the forces of nature and he will love the idea no matter how good/bad the execution is on stage. He will compliment the idea first before giving his critique on the other aspects of production. He is the ScriptWriter and main presenter of the "Hapa Kule" show on KTN. Impecable work ethics and a brilliant man who has already achieved what many hope for.
My footer:
This may not be an exhaustive list but those are the ones i have seen who have items that have been in the limelight over the years!
Others such as Charity i have covered under Metropolitan Region. There are those who are not very active on social media such as one Mr. Gatere and thus their photos are very hard to find. This guy has won in the Narrative category with Kijabe Boys for quite some time.
If there are those that you feel have been left out, please do not forget to inbox me and i shall do the necessary as soon as possible!
you have left out gacheru, the man who won the nationals with his play "THE VILLAGE WELL" With kiaguthu boys and Gabriel Kanja, best uprising play director in muranga.
ReplyDelete