This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Kenya's top performers in the Kenya National Music Festival and Kenya National Drama Festival are set to take the stage in Uganda during the East Africa Music, Dance and Drama Festival, which will be held from August 30 to September 5 at Fort Portal.
Unlike Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania host a single festival for both music and drama, resulting in a more competitive environment that pushes artists to excel.
Kenya's national music, drama, and film festivals are the largest events in East and Central Africa, with the country's top performers consistently impressing audiences.
There have been talks of organizing an East African Community arts festival, but for now, Kenya's top performers will be represented by Riara Springs and Kianyaga Boys High School in the play category.
Riara will stage a play titled 'Camels of Tarbaj,' scripted by Justin Ongwen and produced by Jane Mulinge, which addresses the issue of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a condition affecting an estimated two million women.
Other performers include Ng'iya Girls, Mary Hill Girls, State House Girls, Moi Girls Nairobi, and Kenya Institute of Professional Studies (Kips), who will showcase their talents in various categories, including cultural dance, modern dance, choral verse, and Swahili verse.
