ALEXANDER NDERITU'S BLOG

When the Whirlwind Passes a paperback novel by Alexander Nderitu was launched at the launched at the Alliance Française de Nairobi (Multimedia Library) on 29^th January 2022. The event, which was hosted by Esther Neema, featured performances by Spoken Word poets G-cho Pevu, Jacob Oketch, and the Maji Mazuri Teens Club led by their trainer Griffins ‘The Beast’ Ndhine. Several writers gave tributes to the author. These included Munira Hussein, Caroline Mbugua, and Gabriel Dinda of The Writers Guild. The new Director of the Alliance Française, Charles Courdent, also made some remarks. The author gave a speech on his ‘twenty-year journey’ in the Kenyan literary space. He announced that all his e-books will be made available in print format as well.

Inspired by a true story, When the Whirlwind Passes follows the life of an ambitious Eastlands beauty who marries a wealthy fashion baron, and the circumstances that turn their ‘whirlwind romance’ into a John Grisham-esque murder case. The crime/suspense novel has the distinction of having been Africa's first purely 'digital novel'. It was first published online in 2001. Over the next two decades, it remained one of the continent's most-downloaded e-novels. On the Worldreader app alone, it has thus far been read 29,232 times and received 1,011 ‘likes’ from fans. In December 2021, When the Whirlwind Passes was released as an audiobook by US-based publisher LA CASE Books. Under the deal, two Nderitu books - When the Whirlwind Passes and Kiss Commander Promise, were made available in 66 countries in audiobook format via the Google Play Store.

Signing autographs

After 20 years on the Internet and on mobile devices, When the Whirlwind Passes (ISBN: 978-9914-707-79-3) has finally hit the print market. The book is currently available at the Nuria Bookstore where it retails for Kshs 1,000/=

Below are some shots from the event:

THE COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES

A cross-section of the eventual KTA winners.

1. Best production

a. Simba Bazenga – KCA University

b. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

c. Three is a Crowd – Heartstrings Entertainment

2. Best Musical theatre production

a. Simba Basenga – KCA University

b. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

c. In the Heights - St. Mary’s school

d. Subira – Silent Voices and Gilb'art Productions

3. Best Kikwetu Production

a. Hiuria Muiko - Fanaka Arts

b. Kumutha Ciakane – Renegade Ventures

4. Best Virtual Show – Have both Hummingbird and theatre for one on the awards program

a. Call of the Hummingbird – Ogutu M.raya

b. Theatre for One – The Art Centre Nyuad

c. Toshanisha – Bold Theatre Kenya

5. Best Children’s Play

a. The Trial of Athena – Youth Theatre Kenya

b. In the Heights - St. Mary’s School

c. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

6. Best Breakthrough Male Performer

a. Ted Munene in (BlackOut)

b. Emmanuel Baraza (Simba Bazenga)

c. Odhiambo Gadwil (Men of Ambition)

7. Best Breakthrough Female Performer

a. Mackrine Andala (Three is a Crowd)

b. Vivianne Pambo (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Vivian Nyawira (Katiba)

8. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Play) – Very competitive

a. Bernice Nthenya (Three is a Crowd)

b. Sarah Masese (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Matilda Igatha (Trial of Athena)

d. Mary Mwikali (Breathe III)

9. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Play)

a. Mike Ndeda (BlackOut)

b. Majestic Steve (Barua)

c. Martin Githinji (Breath III)

10. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Musical)

a. Elizabeth Nekoye (In the Heights)

b. Rebekeh Dawn (Nyanga)

c. Agnes Kola (Subira)

11. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Musical)

a. Gilbert Lukalia (Subira)

b. Emmanuel Barasa (Simba Bazenga)

c. Caleb Wachira (Nyanga)

12. Best Musical score/arrangements/adaptation

a. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

b. Simba Bazenga – KCA University

c. In the Heights – St. Mary’s School

13. Best Original Choreography in a Musical/Play

a. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

b. African Contemporary – Sarakasi Trust

c. In the heights – St. Mary’s School

14. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role (Play)

a. Wakio Mzenge (Breathe III)

b. Vivianne Pambo (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Esther Kamba (Dilation – Maabara Showcase)

15. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role (Play)

a. Paul Ogola (Heartstrings)

b. Nick Ndeda (Back to Basics)

c. Odhiambo Gadwil (Men of Ambition)

16. Best Performance in a Solo Production: Male/Female

a. Esther Kamba (Dilation – Maabara Showcase)

b. Mumbi Kaigwa (Theatre for one)

c. Wanjiku Mwavuganga (Roots – Maabara Showcase)

17. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role (Musical)

a. Nice Githinji (Subira)

b. Sandra Chadota (Simba Bazenga)

c. Lyndie Shinyega (Nyanga)

18. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role (Musical)

a. Mundawarara Shaun (Subira)

b. Tinashe Mpariwa (In the Heights)

c. Mikal Otieno (Simba Bazenga)

19. Best Dance Theatre

a. Wild Exposed – Egerton University

b. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

c. African Contemporary – Sarakasi Trust

20. Best Kenyan Playwright

a. Xavier Nato (BlackOut)

b. Brian Orina (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Peter Tosh (Barua & Katiba)

21. Best Set Design

a. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

b. Hiuria Muiko - Fanaka Arts

c. Blackout – Millaz Production

22. Best Lighting Design

a. Breathe III – Back to Basics

b. Men of Ambition – Journal of Orina

c. Subira – Silent Voices and Gilb'art Productions

23. Best Sound Design

a. Call of the Hummingbird – Ogutu Muraya

b. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

c. Dilation by Esther Kamba in Maabara Showcase

24. Best Costumes Design

a. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

b. Sound of Music – Music & Theatre Kenya

c. African Contemporary – Sarakasi Trust

d. Subira – Silent Voices and Gilb'art Productions

25. Best Producer

a. Asha Mwangi (Heartstrings Entertainment)

b. Clare Wahome (Millaz Production)

c. Peter Tosh (Liquid Arts Entertainment)

d. Cooper Rust (Dance Centre Kenya)

e. Eric Ndugu (Fanaka Arts)

26. Best Director

a. Sammy Mwangi (Three is a Crowd)

b. Ogutu Muraya (Simba Bazenga)

c. Mbeki Mwalimu (Breathe III)

d. Peter Tosh (Liquid Arts Entertainment)

e. Njomo Nyathira (Fanaka Arts)

27. Best University/college theatre group

a. KCA University for Simba Bazenga

b. Kenyatta University for Contract Love

c. Egerton University for Wild Exposed

28. Best Theatre Company of the year 2021

a. Liquid Arts Production

b. Fanaka Arts

c. Millaz Production

OTHER AWARDS:

John Sibi-Okumu (centre) flanked by Kevin Kahuro and Clare Wahome.

1. World Impact Award (for an individual or production that raises the bar of Kenya Theatre

Internationally) - John Sibi-Okumu

2. Life Time Achievement Award (for individuals in the industry for more than 30 years.) - David Mulwa

3. Jury Special Award (for outstanding contribution to Kenyan Theatre) - Alacoque Ntome

4. Ushirika Award (for individuals and advertising, corporate, government entities or venues that support theatre) - Kenya Cultural Centre

IMAGES

The full list of winners will be published here shortly. Until then, below are some images from the glamorous award ceremony which took place at the Kenya National Theatre. (All images are Courtesy of KTA.)