THE JURY

The jury for the Kenya Theatre Awards is composed of a diverse group of individuals representing different sectors of the theatre industry. The panel includes representatives from academia, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in theatre education and research; practitioners, who bring a wealth of practical experience and expertise in the field of theatre; media, who bring a unique perspective on the role of theatre in the media and its impact on the general public; and government, who bring a valuable understanding of the role of theatre in society and the importance of government policy and support for the arts. This diverse representation on the jury ensures that all aspects of the theatre industry are considered and evaluated when determining the award recipients.

Unlike other awards schemes, the KTAs make their jury members known to the public as part of our integrity checks.

Njoroge Joseph Gitau

A producer, director, writer and actor at Renegade Ventures Limited. 

Anjellah Owino

Anjellah Owino is a writer and an arts communications expert with a biasness towards art and to make the art world more visible. She has 16 years of experience writing for The Standard, TNX Africa, TewasArt Gallery, among other publications. She is a nominee for the Best Theatre, Art and Culture Writer Award at the Sanaa Theatre Awards in 2015. Artists’ distinctive creative approaches and expressions intrigue her.

Wanjiku Mwawuganga

Wanjiku Mwawuganga is a Theatre Maker who is inspired by works that push boundaries and embrace vulnerability and self excavation. She is an Alumni of the DAH Theatre International Summer School; class of 2019 and a scholarship holder of the Zürcher Theater Spektakel 2020Watch and Talk. Her new work ‘Where Did You See My Fear?’ is currently in its developmental stage.

Caroline Odongo

Caroline Odongo is a seasoned stage, film, and television director with over 30 years of experience, holding a BA in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi. She has directed over 1,000 TV episodes and several films, with notable work on popular series such as Selina, Salem, Shanga, Reckless, and Sarabi, and has served as head writer on Lies That Bind and Block D. Her acclaimed short films include Midnight Van, The Yellow Dress, and Consequences, and she won Best TV Director at the 2021 Women in Film Awards. Beyond directing, she is a respected mentor and acting coach, having trained hundreds of creatives through institutions like KCA University, Kenya Film School, and AFTTTI, while contributing to productions such as Shuga and Nafsi. Currently co-leading the Directors’ Guild, she continues to champion excellence and growth in Kenyan and East African cinema.

Steenie Njoroge

Seasoned Theatre Practitioner with over 45 years experience as an actor, stage manager, director & producer not just on stage but as a voice over artist in both radio and television with a number of films and soap operas to my credit.

Sitawa Namwalie

Sitawa Namwalie is an award-winning Kenyan poet, playwright and performer known for her unique dramatized poetry performances, which combines poetry and traditional Kenyan music. Senior Arts Journalist, Former Entertainment Editor and Pulse sub-editor with the Standard Group, and Arts critic for over 15 years

Lewis Kavoi Xavier

Lewis Kavoi Xavier is a Kenyan theatre director, filmmaker, arts educator, and cultural leader whose work sits at the intersection of creative practice, arts education, and social inquiry. He currently serves as the Head of Visual and Performing Arts at Woodcreek School, where he provides strategic leadership across theatre, music, creative media, and the arts, while mentoring emerging creatives and educators.

Academically, Lewis is trained in Theatre Arts and Film Technology at Kenyatta University and has undertaken professional training in the Future Leadership and Teacher Programme at Strathmore Business School, equipping him with a strong foundation in creative leadership, pedagogy, and institutional development.

As a theatre practitioner, he has directed and produced several critically acclaimed Kenyan stage productions. His work has received national recognition, including Mekatilili wa Menza, which won Best Musical Production of the Year at the Kenya Theatre Awards 2023, where he also won Best Set Design. He has further directed major productions such as Dedan Kimathi, earning multiple nominations and wins for their culturally grounded and disciplined storytelling.

Lewis is also a nominee for the 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award at the Tes Awards for International Schools, recognising his contribution to arts education. Alongside theatre, he is an accomplished filmmaker, with award-winning projects showcased at KNDF and the Addis International Film Festival. He remains deeply committed to ethical storytelling, talent development, and strengthening bridges between arts education and the professional creative industry.

Anjellah Owino

Anjellah Owino is a writer and an arts communications expert with a biasness towards art and to make the art world more visible. She has 16 years of experience writing for The Standard, TNX Africa, TewasArt Gallery, among other publications. She is a nominee for the Best Theatre, Art and Culture Writer Award at the Sanaa Theatre Awards in 2015. Artists’ distinctive creative approaches and expressions intrigue her.

Steenie Njoroge

With a wealth over 45 years experience as a theatre practitioner Steenie is a product of the Schools Drama Festival where he made his mark by being crowned best actor for his sterling role as Brother Jero in Wole Soyinka:s The Trial of Brother Jero in 1978.

Ian Mbugua

Ian Mbugua is a teacher of performing arts, Brookhouse Schools, where he also manages the Burudani Theatre. He is an actor, director and singer and has a passion for youth and the arts.

Sitawa Namwalie

Sitawa Namwalie is an award-winning Kenyan poet, playwright and performer known for her unique dramatized poetry performances, which combines poetry and traditional Kenyan music. Senior Arts Journalist, Former Entertainment Editor and Pulse sub-editor with the Standard Group, and Arts critic for over 15 years

Margaretta wa Gacheru, Ph.D

Veteran Arts Journalist – Nation Media Group

Suki Wanza

Suki Wanza is a distinguished actress, known for her roles in films like “Midlife Crisis” and TV series such as “KINA”. She’s also a stage performer, lecturer at KCA University, and a curriculum developer. Her contributions extend to training in theatre arts, serving as vice secretary for the Nakuru Players Society, and co-founding the Lake International Panafrican Film Festival.

Benson Ngobia – 2021/2022 KTA Jury Chairperson

Chairman – Department of Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies at KCA University.

Margaretta wa Gacheru, Ph.D

Veteran Arts Journalist – Nation Media Group

Peter Ndoria

Senior Arts Journalist, Former Entertainment Editor and Pulse sub-editor with the Standard Group, and Arts critic for over 15 years