Lawrence Nyakeri Keboga (Lawi)

Lawrence Nyakeri Keboga, a.k.a. Lawi is a theatre artiste, poet, animator and community educator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Egerton University, Njoro where he studied Linguistics, Literature and Philosophy. For over two decades, he has worked in the art scene in various capacities; as an actor, director, writer and community and international festival organizer. His engagement with the arts has mainly focused on community development and empowerment, research, instruction and direction. Recently, he has served on a volunteer basis as Project Coordinator with Dance Into Space (DIS), a contemporary dance and mixed-ability company incorporated in Nairobi, he coordinated the mixed-ability dance project called MAP. Currently, he works as a Projects Advisor at Family Programmes Promotions Services (FPPS) and as Festival Director at the Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre (KIPT). Kenya Institute of Puppet Theatre is organizing the 6th International Puppetry Festival to be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2015. Previously, he has taught theatre arts and drama at the Department of Literature in Egerton University, Njoro; coordinated a nationwide puppet theatre program focusing on health, education and governance and coordinated and directed three editions of the International Puppetry Festival (previously known as "Edu-puppets International Festival"), the only biannual international puppet theatre festival in East and Central Africa. He has worked as a consultant on educational and community theatre for local and international organizations, in and out of Kenya, and continues to formally and informally interact with local communities through theatre, puppetry and dance. As a result of his engagement with the arts, especially performing arts, Nyakeri has authored "A Guide on Participatory Education Theatre" published by the Centre for Governance and Development (CGD).