“Some of your productions were so avant-garde that I didn't know whether I was watching a tragedy or a lead actor who had forgotten his lines. It was interesting!”
I remembered, Chair to the jury, Ian Mbugua marveling during his speech at the 5th annual Kenya Theatre Awards (KTA) 2026 gala, which took place yesterday, 26 February 2026, at the Kenya National Theatre, as the tragedy unfolded on stage later that night.
Well, I didn’t envy the thespians as they told the story of the Shakahola Massacre, reliving the horrors born of humanity’s most shameful vulnerability.
“We are not of this world…burn it all! Burn it all!” the charlatan boomed in a sonorous voice, his herd of loyal followers bleating back in kind as he herded them to the bonfire.
Emotions ebbed around me, like a haze of a giant nervous system, the audience gripping their seats in nostalgic revulsion.
“When the world doesn't understand you, it fears you, when it fears you, it tears you down…” He went on, his white robe rippling in the gay spotlight.
Produced by Loch Africa and an excerpt from an original stage production by Kenda Creatives, Kenya’s Shakahola Tragedy felt so real that I could almost feel the palpitations of a starved heart as the herd bleated on.
“We have moved past typical family dramas and ventured into everything from vaudeville to theatre of the absurd,” like a herald through the vicissitudes of time, I could still hear the judge's sentiments as I watched the play.
But Alas! I wouldn’t want to drum the intricacies of the story and spoil the drama. A full production will be showcased later in the year.
This year's awards included 225 plays, a much larger number than last year's; however, the categories were reduced, with best leading roles in musicals not making the cut, whereas supporting roles were recognized.
Hair and Make-up, a new category, was recognized. The Kiswahili category has been proposed for consideration.
The upset, as the juror put it, was “because some of the quality has not lived up to the jury's expectations. We are looking for Excellence!”
The ceremony celebrated excellence across 29 categories, with the following individuals and productions emerging as top winners:
For more information, visit Kenya Theatre Awards
