Arts lovers in Nakuru will have the opportunity to watch the play 'AIKIN MATA' being staged at the Nakuru Players Theatre on August 10 to 12.

This is one of the activities the Players Theatre has lined up for Nakuru residents during this year's International Youth Week, which culminates in the International Youth Day on August 12.

Nakuru Players Theatre vice chairman Joseph Maina popularly known as Barbushe, who is also the director of the play 'Aikin Mata', says the management of the theatre decided to honour art lovers by staging the play which was first staged in Nigeria.

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In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Barbushe says the play seeks to bring a lasting solution to the desperate situation of war and disintegration by using the sex strike, as a symbol and weapon to achieve lasting peace and unity in Nigeria which was experiencing war in those ancient days before Christ.

According to the plot of the play, the main character, Magajiya, dethrones the men through civil means leading to the capture of the Alkila who represents the head of government.

After capturing the Alkila, the women, under the watchful eyes of their leader, Magajiya, take an oath to never sleep with their husbands until the economy improves and the men lay down their arms.

But Kwaranga, unable to bear the absence of his wife, Mariya, storms the women's camp in search of his wife, and when he meets the women's leader (Magajiya), he begs his wife, without any pretence, to come back home so that they can live as man and wife.

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Mariya insists that she will not let him sleep with her, or even return home with him, until he initiates a treaty between the warring North and South to end the ongoing crisis between the duo.

The signing of the treaty by the Northern and Southern ambassadors led to a peaceful resolution of the war and the women returned to their various marital homes, handing over the mantle of leadership to their husbands.

Barbushe Maina, who is the producer and director of the play, says it speaks to the current situation in Kenya where power is at the centre and the male gender takes the lead, leaving the women at home.

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He notes that in such scenarios, it is up to the women to be empowered and play their role in matters of peace and unity.

"The play speaks a lot about our country where men think about power and leadership but there is more that can unite us. Women and youth should now take the lead in building a better society," he says.

pmambili@gmail.com

Aikin Mata to debut at the Nakuru Players Theatre

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Pristone Mambili