Cheers and dances greeted the just concluded Kenya Universities Drama and Film Festivals, as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology(JOOUST) emerged top in three categories.
JOOUST garnered awards for the best female actress awarded to Ms. Deborah Yeufrez, the best spoken word item titled “Words of Wisdom” which was written by David Akunga and performed by Justus Alila, who also got awarded the best spoken word artist. JOOUST’s cultural dance “Shibira” emerged the best cultural dance in radicalization and national security.
The Kenya Universities Performing Arts and Film Association (KUPAA) yet again set the stage for Kenyan Universities to showcase their talent in Drama and Film marking this the second edition of the festival. The results were announced at Pwani University which was the host University in the presence of KUPAA National Steering Committee among other dignitaries.
The Chairman KUPAA, Mr. Bonface Isalambo thanked all the Universities and stakeholders who made the National Festival a success, noting that it had been a painstaking process. “We hope that we will develop partnerships with regional Universities and possibly have East African Universities Drama and Film Festival in the near future”. Said Mr. Isalambo.
Mr. Mohammed A. Adan, who was also the Chief Guest, acknowledged the effort made thus far, to support talent among the youth. “……. We promise to make KUPAA what it is meant to be and walk this journey with you all the way”. Also present was Ms. Jeddy Mutheu from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Heritage who encouraged the students to apply for capacity building workshops organized by the ministry as a way to create better opportunities for artists in the country. The Ministry donated the trophies awarded to the best performances during the festival.
The one-week festival attracted over 15 Universities.
The spoken word performed by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology will be performed live at the Churchill Show on Thursday the 28th March,2019 in Malindi by Justus Alila, accompanied by the writer David Akunga, an alumnus of the University.
