The Kenya Theatre Awards (KTA) 2026 nominees were unveiled at the Kenya National Theatre, marking the fifth edition of the annual ceremony that celebrates excellence in Kenyan theatre.
This year, the awards feature 29 nomination categories, down from 36 in 2025, a move organisers say is aimed at sharpening competitiveness and recognising standout work across the industry.
The nominees were announced by KTA jury chair Ian Mbugua and Director of the Kenya International Theatre Festival (KITFest) Benson Ngobia.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for the evening of February 26, with attendees expected to embrace the theme and dress code, African Theatre Futurism.
Key Nominees by Category
Best playwright – Original script
Mohamed Komeja – Picha, Prevail Presents
Yafesi Musoke – Bad Girls of the Bible, ChemiChemi Players
Martin Kigondu – Of Cords and Discord, Prevail Presents
Saumu Kombo & Mercy Mutisya – Free Me, Taji and Co. Production Limited
Best director
Nice Githinji – Miss Understood, Astar Productions
Julisa Rowe – Bad Girls of the Bible, ChemiChemi Players
Mike Ndeda – Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Mugambi Nthiga – Free Me, Taji and Co. Production Limited
Best Breakthrough Female Performer
Naomi Wairimu – Against the Tide, Son of Man Productions
Suzanne Karani – Picha, Prevail Presents
Afrikan Nduta – Kifo Kisimani, Hive of the Arts
Renee Gichuki – Free Me, Taji and Co. Production Limited
Best Breakthrough Male Performer
Andrew Nganga – Uga Ng’we!, Kwa Ndego Productions
Daljit Ochieng – Against the Tide, Son of Man Productions
Simon Petero – Paradise of Thorns, Artflame Theatre Network
Olilo Martine – Come Before Winter, Artspace Productions
Best Children’s Play
Disney’s High School Musical, Rosslyn Academy
The Matatu from Watamu Drove into the Sea, Aperture Africa Productions Ltd
Beauty and the Beast, Braeburn Players
Best Costume Design
Jaclyn Barbarino – Beetlejuice: The Musical, Braeburn School
Nancy Aluoch – Bad Girls of the Bible, ChemiChemi Players
Aperture Africa Production – The Matatu from Watamu Drove into the Sea, Aperture Africa Productions Ltd
Carla Unger – Blue Stockings, Rosslyn Academy
Best Kikwetu Production
Horia Mwaki – Andu A Mumbi, Andu A Mumbi Production
Wangu wa Makeri – Kwa Ndego Productions
Nairobi Ilogo Dichiel – In-House Production & Access Light Media
Atahamia Nguhe, Andu A Mumbi Production
Best Learning Institution (Schools)
Braeburn Gitanga Rd
Rosslyn Academy
Aga Khan Academy – Nairobi
Brookhouse Karen Campus
Best Lighting Design
Jazz Moll and Wilfred Onyango – Beetlejuice: The Musical, Braeburn School
Jazz Moll and Wilfred Onyango – Oliver, Braeburn Players
Jazz Moll and Wilfred Onyango – The Iron Snake, Youth Theatre Kenya
Charles Stephen – Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Best Musical Score, Arrangement or Adaptation
Tabu Osusa – African Twist, Ketebul Music
Modest Chabari – Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Play)
Naomi Wangui – Niqabi Ninja, Chisaina Arts
Lucy Wache – Picha, Prevail Presents
Nice Githinji – After 4.30, Mvua Press
Allison Kariuki – Kifo Kisimani, Hive of the Arts
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Monologue
Naomi Wangui – Niqabi Ninja, Chisaina Arts
Makena Kahuha – Miss Understood, Astar Productions
Lucy Wache – Picha, Prevail Presents
Nice Githinji – After 4.30, Mvua Press
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Play)
Jaleen Waithera – Wangari 2.0, Artspace 254
Foi Wambui – Badassery, Taji and Co. Production Limited
Vivian Kabono – After 4.30, Mvua Press
Joyce Musoke – Bad Girls of the Bible, ChemiChemi Players
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Jeni Stow – Just Juliet, Kenya Amateur Dramatics
Gathoni Waweru – Wangu wa Makeri, Kwa Ndego Productions
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Play)
Samson Omondi – African Twist, Ketebul Music
Michael Ndunda – Picha, Prevail Presents
Victor Nyaga – Against the Tide, Son of Man Productions
Martin Kigondu – After 4.30, Mvua Press
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Monologue
Faiz Ouma – It’s Such a Good Time, Faiz Ouma
Kevin Maina – Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Cosmas Kirui – Locked In, Astar Productions & Sanaa Post
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Play)
Kimiti Wa Gitau – Wangu wa Makeri, Kwa Ndego Productions
Cosmas Kirui – Kifo Kisimani, Hive of the Arts
Tobit Tom – Free Me, Taji and Co. Production Limited
Thuita Mwangi – Locked In, Astar Productions & Sanaa Post
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Mass Monte – Just Juliet, Kenya Amateur Dramatics (KADS)
Jazz Moll – Oliver, Braeburn Players
Best Performance by a Young Female Actor
Kaveri Shah – The Matatu from Watamu Drove into the Sea, Aperture Africa Productions Ltd
Naomi Girma – Disney’s High School Musical, Rosslyn Academy
Tana Gachoka – Just Juliet, Kenya Amateur Dramatics (KADS)
Cynthia Thuo – Blue Stockings, Rosslyn Academy
Best Performance by a Young Male Actor
Maisha Mumo – The Matatu from Watamu Drove into the Sea, Aperture Africa Productions Ltd
Robie Riddell – Oliver, Braeburn Players
Prajeet Ghose – Beetlejuice: The Musical, Braeburn School
Hussein Suleman – Blue Stockings, Rosslyn Academy
Best Producer
International Christian Centre Nairobi
Jazz Moll & Joanna Garner – Braeburn Players
Julisa Rowe – ChemiChemi Players
Faith Gitari – Maina Mind Productions
Best Production
Miss Understood, Astar Productions
Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Free Me, Taji and Co. Production Limited
Bad Girls of the Bible, ChemiChemi Players
Best Set Design
JUBLAC – Happily Never After, Crony Production
Aperture Africa Production – The Matatu from Watamu Drove into the Sea, Aperture Africa Productions Ltd
Mercy Muriuki & Geoffrey Namulala – Into the Woods JR, Braeburn Garden Estate
Tony Chamberlain – Blue Stockings, Rosslyn Academy
Best Sound Design
Alice Coleman & Pierce Williams – Beetlejuice: The Musical, Braeburn School
Philip Mbaka & Tonny Koome – In the Name of the Father, Kenda Creatives
Michael Ludenyo – Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Mbogua Mbugua Mbugua – Free Me, Taji and Co. Production
Best Spoken Word Production
Coffee & Cuddles, Cardiac Poet
Love Notes – Vol II, Frankhie
Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Best Stage Managed Production
Harlene Singh – Beetlejuice: The Musical, Braeburn School
Rita Gitau – Midnight Poetry, Maina Mind Productions
Jenny Childs & Anika Bebbington – Beauty and The Beast, Braeburn Players
Sasha Macharia & Makena Mugambi – Blue Stockings, Rosslyn Academy
Best Two-hander Production
Niqabi Ninja, Chisaina Arts
Dampened Spirits, Jukwaa Arts Production
What I Didn’t Say, ChemiChemi Players
Of Cords and Discord, Prevail Presents
Theatre Company of the Year
Jukwaa Arts Production
Crony Production
Prevail Presents
Braeburn Players
Best Original Choreography in a Musical/Play
Maribel Larson – Beetlejuice: The Musical, Braeburn School
Aperture Africa Productions – The Matatu from Watamu Drove into the Sea, Aperture Africa Productions Ltd
Brian Otieno Oloo – Inceptions, Dancing Feet (Kisumu)
Faith Ekesi & Marna Ibs – Blue Stockings, Rosslyn Academy