From Okiya Omtatah to Cleophas Malala: Politicians who like performing arts

Former UDA Secretary General  Cleophas Malala has been news all week for the brouhaha brought about by his play ‘Echoes of War’. He is a politician who has made a mark in theatre, even before politics bought his art the wrath of the State. And he is not the only politician with a love for performing arts.

Kenya boasts a rich tapestry of politicians who have seamlessly blended their artistic talents with public service.

From drama and music to poetry and comedy, these individuals have leveraged their creative background to connect with their political arena

Okiya Omtatah: Playwright

Okiya Omtatah, Busia Senator, is best known in Kenya as an activist and public interest litigator.

However, he has a rich background in the arts and has written and performed creative works, especially in his earlier years.

In his youth, Omtatah was involved in theatre and poetry. He wrote plays and poems that often dealt with social justice themes—mirroring his activism today.

He also participated in stage performances, using art as a medium for social commentary and education.

While he is more recognized for his court petitions than published literary works, some of his writings have appeared in public forums or been performed, often addressing the struggles of the ordinary Kenyan and challenging corruption or injustice.

Among the plays and books that he has penned include ‘March to Kampala’, ‘Lwanda Magere’, ‘Voice of the People’, ‘Chains of Junkdom’ and ‘An Exchange for Honour’. The last play that he did was the ‘Voice of the People’ in 2008.

He is also in plans to complete and publish a fictional narrative on the Chinese invasion of Kenya.

“I am trying to look at the issue of the Chinese. I am writing a novel on how China is taking over this country and how the Chinese influence is taking away our sovereignty. It will be a fictional account that can nudge the population into raising more questions about the Chinese,” he said.

Prof Kivutha Kibwana : Poet and playwright

The former Makueni governor is not only an academic and politician but also a playwright. His involvement in theatre has been instrumental in community mobilization and civic education initiatives.

An anthology of poetry delved into themes of justice identify and societal transformation. Melodies of the motherland, a collaborative anthology featuring poems that celebrate African heritage and experiences.

His Ngaeka Waeka (Myali ya Kikamba poems), a compilation of poems in Kikamba, highlighting Prof Kibwana’s commitment to presenting and promoting indigenous languages and cultures.

In 1974, he published ‘Utisi’, a playbook that was followed by yet another playbook ‘The Grand Race’, ‘Kanzala’ and ‘Walk with Me God’.

In 1999, he published Melodies of the Motherland that was followed by ‘Ngaeka Waeka: Myali Ya Kiikamba Poems’ published in 2010 among others. Some of his novels are incomplete and still being worked on among them Season of Sowing.

“This collection of poems has a bit of a long history. A few of them were penned in the 80s and most of them in the 90s. There is a sense in which they were written a while back and some of them where published in ‘Melodies of the Motherland: An Anthology of Poems from Kenya’ published in 2000.

“Most of the poems speak about a period in our country, post 1982, when authoritarianism, as Reverend (Timothy) Njoya has indicated, was the order of the day. The drafts of some of these poems where actually done here when we would congregate and think of how to renew our country especially our constitution,” Kivutha said.

“One of the things that stood out for me then is the way young people really wanted change for their country. They wanted comprehensive reforms not minimum reforms and they were right in that it took longer when we stood for minimum reforms.

“In these poems I luminism them. Some of these poems are about those struggles. They paid a heavy price. Some were killed, they were shot, put in prisons and even others chased from university,” he said.

John Kiarie (KJ): ‘Redykyulass’ past

Before representing Dagoretti South constituency< John Kiarie was renowned for his role in the comedy troupe Redykulass. 

He also taught at Materi Girls Center and State House Girls High School before becoming a strip cartoonist for the Sunday Nation.

His satirical performance provided social commentary on Kenyan politics, laying the groundwork for his political career.

Cleophas Malala

Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala began his journey in the art at Friends School Kamusinga as an actor.

He later transited to playwriting with his notable plays includes the ‘Shackles of Doom, premiering in 2013, this play is set in the fictional nation of Kanas and delves into themes of ethnic inequality and resource distribution. 

It is a candid critique of societal structures led to an initial ban from the Kenya National Schools and Colleges Drama and Film Festival.

However, the High Court later overturned this decision, allowing the play to be staged.

‘Echoes of War’, is his most recent work, which portrays a generational conflict within the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates, highlighting tensions between a repressive regime and progressive youth. 

The play’s allegorical references to contemporary Kenyan politics have sparked significant controversy.

Wilson Sossion: Actor, director, writer

Former KNUT Secretary General and later MP Wilson Sossion was also heavily involved in theatre. He scripted and directed award winning plays for Tenwek High School for seven years and served as chairman Rift Valley region drama festival.

He also directed plays at several high schools including Longosa High School, Molot, Kaboson and Nakuru high schools.

But it is not only theatre that has given birth to politicians.

Jaguar (Charles Kanyi Njagua) transitioned from music to politics, Jaguar made his mark with hits like ‘Kigeugeu’ and ‘Kipepeo’. He served as the Member of Parliament Starehe from 2017 to 2022 bringing his artistic flair to the political arena.

Reuben Kigame, a celebrated gospel musicians and disability rights advocates, also ventured into politics, running for the presidency in 2022.