If you love theatre, it’s your time of year: KITFest kicks off in Nairobi on Wednesday 6 November at the Kenya National Theatre and continues with a varied programme through the following Sunday (17 November).
KITFest: Transforming Kenya’s Arts Scene
The story of the Kenyan International Theatre Festival, known as KITFest, dates back to the year 2013, when the festival was just an idea in the founder’s mind. The festival was born from a desire to elevate Kenyan and African narratives on the global stage, giving local artists a platform to present original, authentic stories that might otherwise remain untold and to integrate these artists within the global performance community.
Today KITFest hosts performers from around the world in a variety of genres, including dance, poetry, music and, of course, theatre.
Urge Society Broadcasting (South Africa) perfoming “Maono”
KITFest draws diverse talent to the stage, as well as audiences who are eager to discover innovative exhibitions of local and international theatre. The festival’s programming caters to every taste—from soulful dramas and lighthearted comedies to experimental performances that push creative boundaries.
By embracing diversity and fostering collaboration, KITFest aims to create an inclusive space where artists and audiences engage with social issues and explore new perspectives.
Over the years, KITFest has played an instrumental role in bolstering Kenya’s arts and cultural scene, transforming local perceptions of theatre and inspiring a growing audience of Kenyans to embrace the performing arts. The festival is helping to redefine theatre locally by moving away from stereotypes, elevating the visibility of African stories without stereotypes, and demonstrating the depth and complexity of the local performing arts.
Company Kane (Switzerland) who perform “The Dancing Tree”
11 Days, 16 Countries, More than 50 Performances
During the 11 days of the festival there will be opportunities to see performances from Uganda, Germany, Czech, Zimbabwe, Argentina and Kosovo, Rwanda, Colombia, India, Ireland, Switzerland, Tanzania and South Africa, as well as those presented by Kenyan companies. The shows range from two-handers and musicals through experimental performances, puppetry, poetry, circus and dance.
One day you may see a 30 minute dance & poetry show by the Rwandan Mashirika Performing Arts Company, where a collective of young voices question the dark past of their country. Perhaps you will attend an enchanting Saturday morning Rajasthani string puppetry performance. You might opt to watch a full length, poignant love story, “In Sickness and In Health”, around cancer performed by Kenya’s acclaimed Son of Man Theatre Productions.
Spitfire Company perform “Vivat Messi Kenya Edition”
Origins Dance Company will present another opportunity to see their smash production “Home”. “The Dying Need No Shoes”, which recently played at the KNT, will also be reprised. Through storytelling, Ogutu Muraya of Studio Panda-shuka (Kenya) explores the phenomenon and politics of running in East Africa, where athletic prowess in middle and long-distance categories emerged alongside independence movements.
Inkaba Creative Art House (South Africa) brings us a historical play that speaks about slavery in Zimbabwe. Other plays, such as “Desperate to Fight” (Philiip Luswata, Uganda), “Repeat After Me” (Khalaha, Kenya) and “Bordering Discords” (Chisaina Arts, Kenya) use diverse philosophical and theatrical lenses to explore themes of love, loneliness, societal pressure, and the search for identity. These are just a handful of the exciting shows on offer.
Origins Dance Company | Image by Talisa Lanoe
Apart from theatrical performances, the festival supports the artistic community by providing performing arts workshops, curated to promote fun, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and cultural exchange. The workshops take place at KNT, the Goethe-Institut and other venues and are free. They cover topics like scripting, music composition, stage makeup, digital storytelling, stage management and set development. You can sign up for the masterclasses here.
KITFest continues to evolve, pushing boundaries and sparking meaningful connections across continents. For anyone passionate about storytelling and the performing arts, KitFest is an invitation to witness a unique cultural phenomenon that’s placing Kenya at the forefront of global theater.
So, mark your calendar and get ready to experience KitFest—a world of stories awaits.
KITFest’s full programme and futher information can be found on their website and Instagram.