Shamberere National Polytechnic emerges overall winner in Western region drama festivals

In a dazzling display of talent and creativity, the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutes (KATTI) Drama Festivals Western Region 2024 competition concluded over the weekend with Shamberere National Polytechnic claiming the top spot.

Shamberere was declared the overall winner by securing victories in 7 genres, earning them a ticket to the nationals.

The four-day event, hosted at the Bungoma National Polytechnic, featured intense competition among institutions, each striving for recognition across various categories.

Originally scheduled for three days, the festival was extended to four due to the high number of entries and the participation of new institutions.

Winners will advance to the nationals, scheduled for April 7-17.

In the Mime category, Bumbe TTI led the pack, followed by Kongoni TVC in second place, with Shamberere securing the first position.

The solo verse segment saw Shamberere NP clinching the top position, while Kisiwa TTI and Bumbe TTI secured second and third place respectively.

Webuye West TVC took centre stage in solo dance, claiming the first position, followed by The Bungoma National Polytechnic and Matili TTI.

Sirisia TTI had the audience in stitches, securing first position in the stand-up comedy category, followed by Shamberere and Mumias West TVC.

Narrative enthusiasts were captivated by Shamberere NP, securing first place, with Matili TTI and The Sigalagala NP following closely.

Kisiwa TTI dominated the spoken word category, followed by Bumbe TTI and Bungoma North TVC.

In Modern Dance, Friends College Kaimosi impressed the judges, securing the first position, with Bunyala TVC and Kongoni TVC trailing behind.

Shamberere showcased its talent once more in the choral verse category, with Sirisia TVC and Kisiwa TTI taking second and third place respectively.

Again Shamberere captivated the audience in the Play in Sne category, claiming first position. Sabatia TVC took the top position in the Cultural Creative Dance segment, followed by The Bungoma NP and Shamberere NP.

Finally, in the Play category, The Sigalagala National Poly emerged victorious, with FCK and The Bungoma NP securing second and third place respectively.

Speaking at the drama finals, Shamberere Principal Elisha Nyamu, expressed full support for the government's Talanta Hela initiative, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent to generate revenue for institutions in the future.

"We want our teams to evolve into professional performing theatre artists, able to earn income from showcasing their talents, rather than just participating in regional competitions," he said.

He also cited finances as a major challenge for TVET institutions in preparing for such festivals.

Dr Rosebela Chukwu, Principal of Bungoma National Polytechnic and host of the event, thanked the Ministry of Higher Education for organising such activities.

"Our students have abundant energy that, if not directed properly, could lead to illegal activities. Festivals like these provide them with an outlet to utilise their time and energy constructively," she said.

Newcomers Kongoni Technical and Vocational Training College made a notable debut, securing third place in Modern Creative Dance and second place in Mime, earning them a spot in the upcoming National Drama Festival.

Another newcomer, Khwisero Technical and Vocational Training College presented three items: Solo Verse, Modern Dance, and Narrative.

The KATTI Western Region 2024 competition showcased the rich talent and diversity present in the region, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the next edition.