Ex 'Vioja Mahakamani ' Judge Set To Receive Prestigious Award

Actress Lucy Wangui who played the judge in Kenya's courtroom drama, Vioja Mahakamani, is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 6th Sanaa Theatre Awards. 

The ceremony that will be held on Tuesday, December 17, to recognise and amplify the role theatre has played in the development of the film, music, radio and TV journalism in the country, will be graced by Deputy President William Ruto.

According to the founder and director, George Orido, the awards were created to celebrate and recognise excellence in the Kenyan Theatre scene

Deputy President, William Ruto, Founder Sanaa Theatre Awards George Orido

Fellow veteran actress, Mary Kahavere, popularly known as Mama Kayai, for her tole in the KBC TV show, Vitimbi, had previously been feted with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Kalasha Awards in 2015.

Mama Kayai, who received the award alongside her onscreen 'husband' the late Ojwang Hatari (Benson Wanjau)who was honoured posthumously, dedicated the award to Ojwang with whom they had entertained Kenyans for more than a decade, both on-screen and during national celebrations. 

Wangui's recognition comes over a year after her successor in the legendary judge role, Jamal Nassul Gadafi, was stabbed to death in Machakos on December 11, 2018.

Moral Police Chair Ezekiel Mutua , Lucy Wangui, Grace Khavere and Former Broadcast PS Fatuma during the 2015 Kalasha Awards

“This annual recognition has the impact of keeping standards of theatre high and as a result, a sustained and robust audience base,” Orido is quoted in the Daily Nation.

During the unveiling of the awards nominees on December 13, 2019, as reported by The Standard, lined up for the Best Actor is Ian Mbugua for Breathe II, going head-on with Bilal Mwaura for Impervious.

Best Actress nominees include Alison Nyawira from Lwanda Rockman, Sheila Munyiva for her role in Sarafina and Nice Githinji of The Dying Need No Shoes.

The Best Actress and the Best Actor will be rewarded with two nights for two at a hotel in Nakuru. The nominees for best director are Nick Ndede (Breathe II), Mbeki Mwalimu (Impervious) and Mugambi Nthingi in Too Early for Birds.

Popular writer-blogger, Jackson Biko, better known by his pen name Bikozulu, in the Best Play Writer category (Impervious) and Tom Mboya in the Best Production category (Too Early For Birds).

Professor Washington Omondi, who was one of the composers of the National Anthem will also be recognised with an award during the ceremony.

Below is an episode of Vioja Mahakamani starring actress Lucy Wangui as judge.

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