At all times, its community projects employ any, or integrate a combination of diverse art forms and genres i.e. drama, dance, orature, puppetry, object theatre, music and visual arts. This multi-disciplinary approach makes it possible for KIPT to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.  We create specifically designed and targeted folk media and puppet shows that tours institutions of learning and community around the country.

Through this, ‘edutainment’ approach, we plant and nurture the seeds of community empowerment, self-growth and social change.

1. On-going Programmes

• Puppet For Good Governance Project – 2019

The Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre in partnership with  Konrad-Adenauer – Stiftung Kenya is implementing an action oriented  community based performance project that  uses Interactive Puppetry and Folk Media to mobilize and educate citizens on the need to participate in the devolved governance and democratic system. The project titled Enhancing Political Participation through Puppetry/Folk Media Project aims at promoting and enhancing community participation in the devolved leadership and democratic governance system in Kenya. The pilot project focused its activities in Mathare Constituency – Huruma Ward, Embakasi South Constituency – Mukuru Kwa Njenga Ward, Ruaraka Constituency – Baba Dogo Ward, Kibera Constituency – Sarangombe Ward

The project has stimulated a lot community reflection, dialogue and action in regard to provision of services, governance and democracy in Kenya. The project

• Environmental Conservation

Green Initiative Challenge (GIC) – Water, Sanitation and Environment

GIC is a  School Based Puppetry Programme funded by  KenGen Foundation

In 2016 the Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre sought to contribute to the Green Initiative Challenge (GIC) Programme by promoting environmental, tree planting and environmental education through Puppetry performances in schools where GIC is being implementing. The puppetry programme dubbed the Green Initiative Challenge – School Puppetry Education Programme aims at complementing school based GIC Programme through the use of  puppetry as an innovative, creative and effective medium for community education.

In line with the on -going GIC project goal and objectives,  puppet shows complements awareness and sensitization efforts among targets school, students, pupils and surrounding communities on environmental conservation, tree planting practises and climate mitigation.  The project is being implemented in Embu, Machakos and Kitui counties. A total of 10,000 students, pupils and teacher have reached. The project targets to reach over 500 schools by 2021

Our discussions in the field with stakeholders, teachers, school administration, and local administration establishes that the project has been very successful and that the programme be extended to eventually cover more schools around the country.

• My Right, My Choice – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Advocacy  Project

My Right, My Choice is Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) community based advocacy project that uses puppetry/Participatory Education Theatre (PET) to mobilize and educate communities, particularly the youth on the need to advocate for their own Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). It is a  pilot project that aims at empowering communities staying in low level income estates (slums) with knowledge, skills and information on SRHR to advocate for SRHR of young people. Majority of people staying in the slums cannot have access to information through reading newspapers, radios, TVs or through modern social media platforms as they cannot afford. They rely on  face to face communication hence the need to need to take information to the people through innovative approaches like murals and PET.

My Right, My Choice aims at equipping the youth (12 – 24 years) with SRHR information and life skill  within their own communities so as to grow up to be responsible adults. Young people lack access to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, education and services, therefore, greatly limiting their ability to make informed choices, protect their health and development, and stand up for their rights. For more information, partnership or support, contact us.

Past Projects (Community Education and Outreach Programme)

• Interrogating the Role of Media in Promotion of Justice and Democracy – Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Kenya – 2016
• Puppets Against HIV and AIDS – Collaborative Project with Project Hands Up (USA) Supported by Rotary International – 2014 – 2016
• Elimination of Human Trafficking Through Participatory Interactive Puppetry (PIP) Performance – International Rescue Committee (IRC) – 2016
• Research, development and production of pictorial campaign material for community education on the promotion of solar-hybrid mini-grids in Kenya – German Development Cooperation (GIZ) – 2016
• Jukumu Let – Innovation Media Outreach Project ( iMOP) – A multi media approach to community mobilization,  education and  action on  implementation of the Constitution of Kenya – HIVOS / Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO)-2014 – 2015
• Development of Code of Business Principles training manual through the use of Puppetry for tea plantation workers for Kenya and Tanzania – Unilever Kenya Tea – 2014
• A Participatory Interactive Puppetry (PIP) Performance – integrating music, dance, narrative  and theatre highlighting different forms of salve trade and slavery both ancient  and  modern-day slavery – UNESCO – Kenya – 2014
• Radio based puppet plays for public awareness Campaign for Energizing Development (EnDev) Programme produced in 6 local languages and aired for 6 months- German Development Cooperation (GIZ) – 2013.
• TOT Puppetry /Folk Media Training – Advocating for the rights of people affected by Leprosy – Netherland Leprosy Relief – Nigeria – 2010
• Puppetry /Object Theatre as an alternative teaching tool for teachers and pupil in education and communication (Uganda and Kenya) – British Council – 2009
• TOT Puppetry/Folk Media Training for Behaviour Change Communication –The Aids Support Organization ( TASO) / Strengthening HIV/AIDS Counsellor Training (SCOT) Project ( MOH/USAID) – Uganda – 2009.
• Puppetry /Folk Media Training – Advocating for the rights of people affected by leprosy – Netherland Leprosy Relief  – Nigeria – 2009
• Beginners Puppetry and Folk media training for Behaviour Change Communication – The Aids Support Organization ( TASO) / Strengthening HIV/AIDS Counsellor Training (SCOT) project
• ( MOH/USAID) – Uganda – 2008