By PAUL MUTUA
Kyamboo Senior Secondary School in Migwani ward, Mwingi West, Kitui County earned designation by beating odds by producing a film “The Blueprint” that elevated the school into national limelight during the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival 2026 (KNDFF) despite the harsh environment.
The school with 455 students, both boys and girls, and sitting in one of Kitui’s driest areas, grappling with limited resources including spending Sh250,000 to buy water every year, scooped three major trophies, best producer in film, Senior Schools, awarded to the Principal John Mile and top honours in both feature film and screen verse categories.
Mr Mile said water shortage and unforgiving climate are their biggest challenges, even though they crushed “giants” in the festival held at the Kagumo Teachers' Training College in Nyeri County.
Addressing parents and other guests during the trophy presentation at the school, the principal said the school was guided by its vision to produce competent and innovative students who fit in the dynamic world. He said the good performance both academically and in drama was cemented in their core values of honesty, integrity, dedication and excellence.
“We have agreed to be that ‘school with a difference’. All the staff have a slogan of ‘tujitume kazi’. Our specific strengths include a well-motivated students’ body and self-displined students’ body,” Mile said.
Welcoming the Mwingi West Sub County Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director Margaret Kamau who was the chief, Mile termed the ceremony as a milestone and a rare fete.
The principal said the theme of the day “A Blueprint of Excellence” fits the bill because the school trounced giants to emerge position one in both the feature film and the screen verse (senior schools category) in the just concluded KNDFF.
“As a result of this exceptional performance, the school was awarded the coveted best overall film institution in Kenya. The feature film titled The Blueprint which I produced and directed by Doris Rwito is a thought-provoking film on parental expectations and self-discovery,” Mile said.
At the heart of the story is Baba Aleco, a rigid and methodical engineer who believes in structure, precision, and legacy. Determined to see his lineage continue in the world of engineering and unwilling to “lose” another child to the arts after his elder son, Ray, drifts toward theatre and creativity, he imposes a strict STEM pathway on his Grade 10 son, Aleco.
The Screen verse titled Dilemma (performed by Joshua Kabura) tells of the uncertainty faced by many Grade 10 learners who must navigate parental pressure, peer influence, and their own hidden passions to choose a career pathway that will define their future.
Ms Kamau said it was a great honour and privilege for her to join in the very special occasion to celebrate an extraordinary achievement in the history of the institution.
“Today, we gather not merely to present trophies, but to recognize excellence, discipline, creativity, teamwork, and determination demonstrated by your students and teachers during the Kenya National Music, Drama and Film Festival,” the director said.
She said the victory is evidence that talent, when nurtured with commitment and proper guidance, can elevate learners to the highest levels of achievement. The students have shown that education is not confined to the classroom alone. Co-curricular activities such as music, drama, and film play a vital role in developing confidence, innovation, communication skills, patriotism, and national cohesion among our learners.
The director congratulated students for their hard work, discipline, creativity, and sacrifice. She said they have become ambassadors of excellence and role models to many young people across the country. “Continue aiming higher, remain focused on your studies, and use your talents responsibly to positively transform society,” Kamau told the elated students.
To the teachers and trainers, the director commended their dedication and mentorship. “Success of this magnitude does not come by accident. It is born out of long hours of preparation, patience, teamwork, and sacrifice. Your commitment reflects the noble calling of the teaching profession,” she said.
The director further appreciated the school administration, board of management, parents, and sponsors for creating an enabling environment that supports holistic education. When schools invest in talent development, they help shape future leaders, artists, innovators, and responsible citizens.
Kamau said the government, through the Competency Based Curriculum and the education reforms, continues to emphasize talent identification and development. Achievements such as this confirm that our learners possess immense potential that must be nurtured and supported.
The director encouraged other schools within Kitui County and beyond to emulate the spirit demonstrated by Kyamboo Secondary School. Excellence is achievable when there is discipline, teamwork, visionary leadership, and commitment.
The film’s director, deputy principal, Doris Rwito said when the school began filming; they wanted to create more than just a movie. “We wanted to hold up a mirror to the parental expectations and the heavy silence that often surrounds a student’s journey of self-discovery,” Rwito said.
Mile said it was a moment of immense pride, not just him as a producer, but for all the stakeholders in Kyamboo Senior School as a whole. “As a producer, my role was to provide the platform, but the soul of these productions belongs to our director and our talented students. The Blueprint is an invitation to parents to listen to their children’s dreams as much as their report cards, the principal said.
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