Mount Kenya University (MKU) achieved a notable hat-trick, claiming the title of best university overall and most prolific university for the third straight year as the Kenya National Drama Festivals 2026 concluded in Nyeri County.
The university triumphed in almost all major competitive sections, securing numerous trophies, national titles, and adjudicators’ accolades. It excelled across theatre, film, spoken word, dance, comedy, and verse categorieshighlighting its consistent superiority and the rich pool of talent in its creative arts programs.
“This historic accomplishment solidifies the university’s standing as a powerhouse of creativity, consistency, and excellence at the national level, having held the top position in 2024, 2025, and now 2026,” states William Luta, Coordinator of Sports, Film, and Creative Arts at MKU.
Addressing the event, Luta commended the team’s accomplishments. “This is a hat-trickwe have been named the best university overall for three consecutive years: 2024, 2025, and now 2026. Attaining this level resulted from collective effort. The students’ determination pushed them beyond their limits, while coaches utilized every skill to ensure comprehensive preparation,” he stated.
Luta noted that the university demonstrated dominance by securing top honors in cultural creative dance, solo verse, stand-up comedy, and spoken word (Kiswahili edition). Additionally, MKU teams delivered impressive performances, placing second in play, spoken word (English), duet dance, narrative, and modern dance.
The institution also excelled in film and documentary categories, showcasing proficiency in digital storytelling and screen production: In the film category, MKU secured second place in screen verse and third position in feature films. For the sponsored documentary (Equity Bank), the university earned third place, receiving a Sh30,000 award plus Sh100,000 for the top Equity Bank-sponsored play. Individual MKU students also received top performer awards across various categories.
“I express gratitude to university management for their substantial support, ensuring all essential resources were available to enhance our productions. As an institution, we remain dedicated to cultivating and showcasing young talent to the world. This journey doesn’t conclude hereit continues to improve,” added the coordinator. Luta plays a pivotal role in coordinating sports teams and performing arts. He is acknowledged for supporting student talents, managing team logistics, and promoting MKU’s involvement in national and East African drama and sports.
Other universities that performed exceptionally at the festival include Kenyatta University, which earned best play; University of Nairobi, best narrative; Cooperative University of Kenya, best mime; and Kibabii University with the best modern dance.
The 64th Edition of Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals took place at Kagumo Teachers Training College, Nyeri National Polytechnic, and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, under the theme “Bold Storytellers’ Digital Stages: Driving Kenya’s Development through Theatre and Film.”
Several MKU productions received the distinguished honor of being presented at the 2026 Gala before the President, senior government officials, and Ministry of Education representatives. These included spoken word (both English and Kiswahili versions), cultural dance, and solo verse.
Luta stated that MKU’s sustained dominance reinforces its position as a leader in performing and cinematic arts. The comprehensive victories demonstrate the university’s dedication to fostering talent, creativity, and innovationqualities that have consistently elevated its students to national recognition.
Following the announcement, university representatives commended the steadfast commitment of students, trainers, directors, and the MKU community whose collaborative efforts yielded exceptional outcomes.
Vihiga County Government sponsored five teams to compete in the event. Among the notable performers from the county, Ebussamba ECDE finished as runners-up in the documentary category with their production “A Safe Place”, while Emutsuru ECDE captivated audiences with a choral verse piece titled “Mswaki”.
This year’s edition incorporated technological advancements, featuring greater integration of digital tools and artificial intelligence in storytelling, mirroring the shifting landscape of Kenya’s creative sector. Throughout the years, plays and drama festivals have examined the intricate connection between politics and power, illustrating how societies address the challenges of unregulated ambition.
Adjudicators commended teachers for developing young performers, while highlighting the significance of age-appropriate content and secure, straightforward staging to boost learners’ confidence. Overcoming Faith School from Bunyore, Western Kenya, emerged as one of the major winners at the event. The school delivered an outstanding performance in pre-school categories, securing the overall Singing Games title with “My Savings”. It also received awards for Best Costume and Décor, Most Creative Dance, and Best Choreography.
Coaches were acknowledged by sponsors, receiving monetary incentives for the top three positions. Equity Bank Head of Education, Peter Ndoro, explained that the initiative seeks to foster financial skills and aspiration among students, preparing them as future contributors to economic advancement.
Numerous submissions also aligned with Competency-Based Education (CBE) by emphasizing communication, creativity, and problem-solving while incorporating technology into daily activities. This illustrated how young learners are expressing national development objectives through performance.