In the Kikuyu comedy play He Wega, Martin Munywa (played by Humphrey Maina) is a schoolteacher whose life spirals into alcoholism following the death of his father, the school director.
The production explores themes of poor leadership, fund embezzlement, corruption, love triangles and power struggles within family-owned institutions.
Produced by Wangui wa Ngina under Andu a Mumbi Entertainment, the play will be staged at Jalaram Auditorium in Westlands on March 20. It is strictly for audiences aged 21 and above.
The story centres on a family-owned school left in the hands of Martin, a known drunkard, as efforts begin to find a new director. He is portrayed as a man unable to balance personal indulgences with professional responsibility.
His struggle with alcoholism is exploited, setting the stage for embezzlement of school funds and power tussles that divide the staff.
Unknown to Martin, the incoming director, Evans (played by Pablo Kimani) and secretary Tabitha (played by Mercy Mukuhe) are secretly orchestrating the sale of the school for millions.
Love triangles add a comic twist, with Tabitha pursued by both Martin and Evans, while her interest in them remains purely self-serving.
“It shows the greed and betrayal that even manifests in real life. The audience can also expect lots of laughter when watching the show,” Humphrey says.
The conflict escalates when Nancy (played by Gathoni Waweru), Martin’s sister based abroad, returns to find the school property being sold off. The scenes blend humour and shock, featuring sexual innuendos and adult themes that are characteristic of contemporary Kikuyu plays.
Gathoni Waweru is fresh from winning Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Kenya Theatre Awards 2026 for Wangu wa Makeri by Kwa Ndego Productions. She co-directs He Wega with Mercy Thairu, while the script was developed collaboratively by the cast.