Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has called for more investment in the arts following his attendance at the showing of ‘Lion King Junior: The Musical’, which began on June 11th to 14th at the Jain Bhavan Auditorium under the umbrella of the KitFest Trust.
Mr Nyong’o attended the event to support his grandnephew Ler Jawar, who played Scar in the musical adaptation of the beloved film.
Praising his nephew’s performance, the governor said: “The command of the stage, character interpretation and confidence exhibited were truly admirable.”
Mr Nyong’o, whose daughter, Lupita Nyong’o, is one of Hollywood’s respected actresses, said he believes “theatre” was more than “entertainment.”
“My passion for the performing arts is from a deep conviction that theatre is not merely entertainment, but a powerful instrument for nursing imagination, confidence, discipline and social consciousness among our youth,” he said.
In his statement publicly shared on his socials, Mr Nyong’o also used the proverb of the mustard seed to urge educators and families to nurture the creative spirit of the youth.
“Our responsibility as families, educators, and society is to create spaces where young people can discover and develop their gifts,” he said. “Investing in the arts is, ultimately, an investment in the future of our children and the cultural vitality of our nation.”
