The Kericho County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer, Dr Kiptum Chemagut, has lauded participants and adjudicators at the Soin Sigowet Sub-County Drama Festivals for upholding exceptional professional standards. He credited the festival’s robust mentorship framework with shaping a disciplined, confident, and highly creative pool of emerging talent.
Dr Chemagut, also the County Projects Coordinator in the County Director of Education’s Office and a seasoned authority in co-curricular development, noted that the high calibre of performances was the direct result of deliberate, system-driven investment in structured training, rigorous supervision, and sustained technical mentorship across schools in the county.
Addressing learners, trainers, and adjudicators during the 2026 festival, Dr. Chemagut commended the remarkable standard of professionalism on display. He observed that the adjudication panel demonstrated exceptional expertise, technical precision, and a firm grasp of performance criteria. He also praised the performers for their discipline, stage composure, and meticulous preparation, noting that their conduct reflected not only rigorous training but also deep respect for the craft and competitive platform.
“As a senior adjudicator, I am deeply impressed by the calibre of professionals gathered here today. The adjudicators present are highly seasoned and possess a strong understanding of the evolving dynamics within the drama arena. While we remain fully capable and committed, we are deliberately creating space for the next generation to assume leadership, confident in their competence and preparedness to advance the discipline,” he said.
The festival, hosted at Kaitui Secondary School, brought together primary and junior secondary learners from across Soin Sigowet Sub-County. Celebrating the theme “Bold Storytellers, Digital Stages, and Driving Kenya’s Development through Theatre and Film”, the event highlighted young talent while emphasising the transformative power of theatre and film in shaping the nation’s future.
Philip Yegon, Soin Sigowet Sub-County Secretary of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, emphasised that the theme underscores the pivotal role of theatre and film in advancing national development.
“This year we have registered a good number of participants from our schools. Our vision is to see most of our teams progress to the national level,” Yegon said.
In an interview with the Kenya News Agency (KNA), Soin Sigowet Sub-County Drama Festival Chairperson Sally Koech revealed that about 10 schools participated in both the primary and junior categories, describing the festival as a crucial platform for implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and fostering learners’ skills, creativity, and practical competencies.
“This is a critical pathway for learners as they transition to senior school. Drama develops confidence, enhances communication skills, and builds self-esteem. It also opens up future employment opportunities, especially in the digital creative space, where learners can monetise content through online platforms,” Koech said.
She commended the Government, through the Ministry of Education, for sustaining co-curricular frameworks that complement academic learning and nurture holistic learner development.
Drawing from over 30 years of adjudication experience, Dr. Chemagut urged teachers and patrons to uphold professional ethics by respecting the independence of adjudicators, ensuring fairness and integrity in competitions.
“As patrons and teachers, you are skilled adjudicators in your own right, only that you are not given the opportunity to judge your own items. Respect the authority given to the adjudicators and uphold professionalism,” he advised.
He further lauded trainers for their dedication, noting that preparing learners for competitive performance is a rigorous process demanding technical precision, mentorship, and consistency.
Winners at the sub-county level are expected to advance to the county stage, with organisers expressing confidence that Soin Sigowet will present formidable teams at regional and national platforms.
The 2026 festival reinforced drama and film as strategic co-curricular pillars driving competency development, digital literacy, and participation in Kenya’s growing creative economy.
By Gilbert Mutai
