Moi High School Mbiruri's play wasn't banned over Singapore mention - Dennis Itumbi

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show on Wednesday night, Itumbi said the play was not banned, as claimed by a section of media outlets, maintaining that adjudication records clearly show it was ranked fourth at the regional level.

Itumbi underscored that the play had performed strongly in earlier stages, placing second at both sub-county and county levels before dropping to fourth position regionally.

“This play was not banned. I have the adjudication sheet from the adjudicators, and it's signed, plus the adjudication note. This play got 82%. This play was number four in the Eastern region,” he said.

“Malala doesn't even know what happened to this play… He doesn't even know the title of this play,” Itumbi stated, dismissing claims by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala who was also on the platform, that the production was banned due to political content.

According to Itumbi, the scriptwriter, Hudson Munayi, had appealed to the National Drama Festival chair in a bid to have the play included despite its ranking, but the appeal was unsuccessful.

“So when Mbiruri High School appealed, the answer was no, you cannot perform. Your appeal did not go through. So first, Mbiruri High School admits they lost,” he said.

He further explained that another play ranked fifth qualified for nationals under a sponsorship category tied to Equity, noting that such entries automatically proceed if aligned with the sponsor’s theme.

Addressing concerns over the content, Itumbi said adjudicators had no issue with the subject matter.

“In fact, there is nothing about politics, it says appropriate subject matter. So there was no problem about the play and the subject,” he said, adding that adjudication notes highlighted areas of improvement including “better prop management” and resolution.

Itumbi also faulted the news outlet for its coverage, saying reports that the play was banned were inaccurate.

“The newspaper was absolutely wrong in its claim that a play was banned. This play clearly lost,” he said.

He cited drama patron Esther Murungu, whom he described as an experienced teacher and sister to playwright Joseph Murungu, saying she was disappointed by the reports.

“I have spoken to her and she is very disappointed by that coverage because she says, in the nationals as we speak today, Mbiruri are in the nationals,” he said, noting the school had qualified in other categories including modern dance and choral verse.

On rules governing performances, Itumbi said guidelines cited as new were agreed upon during a December forum attended by over 1,300 stakeholders in the drama festival sector.

“They said no vulgarity, no nudity, no violence in the plays, no political propaganda and partisan campaigns… This issue is in the constitution… it's nothing new,” he said.

Other restrictions include hate speech, blasphemous or defamatory content, and performances that endanger participants, all of which were adopted through a consultative process involving scriptwriters, producers and teachers.

Itumbi’s remarks come at the backdrop of government criticism over the alleged ban of the school from the National Drama festival.