Inside Kenya National Theatre on the early evening of 26 February a rustling anticipation stitched the theatre together. The 5th annual Kenya Theatre Awards were about to begin. Kenya’s most anticipated evening for stagecraft was about to unfurl itself in a ceremony celebrating the best of stagecraft in Kenya

The awards, a flagship under the Kenya International Theatre Festival Trust, celebrates the pulse of Kenya’s storytelling heart as expressed on stages. The awards are a culmination of long nights in draughty rehearsal rooms, handwritten annotations on scripts, and of audiences leaning forward in the dark, transported by stagecraft.

The jury for the Kenya Theatre Awards is composed of a diverse group of individuals representing different sectors of the theatre industry. The panel includes representatives from academia, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in theatre education and research; practitioners, who bring practical experience and expertise in the field of theatre; media, who bring a unique perspective on the role of theatre in the media and its impact on the general public; and government, who bring a valuable understanding of the role of theatre in society and the importance of government policy and support for the arts. This diverse representation on the jury ensures that all aspects of the theatre industry are considered and evaluated when determining the award recipients. The jury for the 2025/2026 awards were: Ian Mbugua, Steenie Njoroge, Sitawa Namwalie, Lewis Kavoi Xavier, and Anjellah Owino.

The awards remain an important platform for recognizing craft, encouraging new voices and spotlighting the continued relevance of stage performance in today’s cultural landscape.”

The Night’s Narrative

Hosted by Martin Githinji and Kerry Kagiri Kamau, awards were presented across categories ranging from acting and direction to design and original choreography. KTA noted that by pushing the boundaries of storytelling, performance, and production, the actors, directors and those behind the scenes have reminded audiences of the transformative power of the stage. 

The Winners

And now…here is the list of winners in key categories who claimed the night in 2026:

Best Playwright – Original Script: Yafesi Musoke – Bad Girls of the Bible (ChemiChemi Players)

Best Director: Mugambi Nthiga – Free Me (Taji and Co. Production Limited)

Best Production: Free Me – Taji and Co. Production Limited

Best Theatre Company of the Year & Best Two-Hander: Prevail Presents

Performance Highlights

Best Female Lead (Play): Lucy Wache – Picha

Best Male Lead (Play): Michael Ndunda – Picha

Best Supporting Female (Play): Joyce Musoke – Bad Girls of the Bible

Best Supporting Male (Play): Tobit Tom – Free Me

Breakthrough & Youth Talent

Best Breakthrough Female Performer: Renee Gichuki – Free Me

Best Breakthrough Male Performer: Daljit Ochieng – Against the Tide

Best Young Female Actor: Tana Gachoka – Just Juliet

Best Young Male Actor: Prajeet Ghose – Beetlejuice: The Musical

Design, Sound & Other Craft

Best Costumes Design: Nancy Aluoch – Bad Girls of the Bible

Best Lighting Design: Charles Stephen – Midnight Poetry

See Also
Franz Cerami Lighting Up the City

Best Sound Design: Philip Mbaka & Tonny Koome – In the Name of the Father

Best Set Design: Mercy Muriuki & Geoffrey Namulala – Into the Woods Jr.

Best Original Choreography: Aperture Africa Productions – The Matatu From Watamu Drove Into The Sea

Special Recognitions

Ushirika Award: Royal Media Services

World Impact Award: Adam Chienjo

Lifetime Achievement (Living): Daniel Mbugua

Lifetime Achievement (Posthumous): Margaretta wa Gacheru

You can find the full list of award winners on the Kenya Theatre Awards website “Roll of Honour”.