President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday reopened The Kenya National Theatre (KNT) after being renovated at a cost of over Sh100 Million.
The refurbished theatre which now has a sitting capacity of 370 was furnished with state-of-the-art facilities to match the standards of modern theartres around the world.
The expenses were split between the Kenya Cultural Centre who partnered with East African Breweries Limited (EABL). They signed a treaty in 2013 as part of the Kenya@50 project.
Kenyatta took the chance to welcome home renown author Prof Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Prof Monica Micere who fled the country so that their works could thrive after forcefully being denied the chance to express themselves in Kenya.
“Theatre gives our young performers the chance to learn the ancient craft at the feet of legends like Mama Tofi, Mama Kayai, Mzee Athman Kipanga, Mzee Pembe, Wahome Mutahi, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Mzee Ojwang' and many others," he expressed.
Prof Micere told theatre lovers that the just refurbished facility was once a forbidden space and could not hide her joy of the liberation that came with its re-openning.
Some of the facilities that were remodeled include the main front face and entrance lounge, auditorium, seats, stage, sound, lighting system, rigging and air conditioning.
It is said that the land occupied by the theatre had originally been grabbed and neglected by private developers, nonetheless, the title deed has since been given to the Sports and Culture Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario.
The speakers at the ceremony were in unison that the relaunch of the facility which has even produced Kenya's most successful and Oscars Film Award Winner, Lupita Nyong'o, agreeing that the theatre would restore its former glory.
President Uhuru was maintained that the relaunch showed the government's commitment in making Kenya the heart of creative and performing arts and culture in Africa.
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