Mount Kenya University has announced a partnership with the country's foremost comedian, Daniel Ndambuki alias Churchill, in a move aimed at supporting art and growing talent.
In a statement, the Thika-based varsity announced that the MKU Institute of Performing and Creative Arts has partnered with Churchill to form the MKU-Churchill Institute of Performing and Creative Arts.
According to the university, Churchill has been instrumental in supporting art and students from the learning institution have been given opportunities by the comedian on his stand up TV show - Churchill Show.
The university added that young people deserve opportunities that will build their careers and teaming up with Churchill was a step in the right direction.
"The MKU Institute of Performing and Creative Arts teams up with Churchill to form the MKU-Churchill Institute of Performing and Creative Arts.
"The MKU Institute of Performing and Creative Arts is nationally known as a wellspring of youth talent, having won the Kenya National Drama Festival title in 2015 and impressive performances in all consecutive years. Our students have in the past auditioned and appeared in the Churchill Show," the statement read.
MKU-Churchill Institute of Performing and Creative Arts is modelled on the Oxford University Dramatic Society that was started by Alec MacKinnon in 1885 and has birthed many famous actors around the world.
"Churchill, as is with the case of many other local thespians, started at the famous Kenya National Theatre. We realized that so many youths have untapped talents in performance and creative arts. We aim to reactivate and rejuvenate their talents through this Churchill Institute of Performing Art," the institution noted.
MKU argued that during the pandemic, many people suffered from mental health-related challenges brought about by job losses and tough economic times, triggering the university to create avenues that promote arts and can be used as sources of revenue during unprecedented times.
"Through Churchill Institute of Performing Arts, we will challenge ourselves how the production of entertainment can continue even such a scenario in future.
"Nurture talent-based education whereby we will issue scholarships to those who exhibit potential for excellence. The scholarships will be similar to the sports scholarships offered by universities in the US," the statement continued.
The deal comes in the backdrop of a new beginning for Churchill Show which moved to TV47 after years of airing on NTV. Kenyans.co.ke also learnt that Churchill Show will be taping at Mount Kenya University (MKU) in early March.
The show will later be unveiled in the grand launch that will take place at MKU with various artists set to stage performances.
