Dr. Zippora Agatha Okoth

Designation

Chair of Department, Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies Department

Staff E-mail Address

zokoth@kcau.ac.ke

Previous Titles

  • Senior Lecturer of Performing Arts

Academic Qualification

  • Ph.D. in Theatre Arts – Kenyatta University, School of Visual and Performing Arts. 2010 – 2014
    , Research on ‘Use of Dramatherapy in unlocking voices of Female Genital Mutilation Survivors.’
  • MA Gender & Development Studies, University of Nairobi. 2006 – 2008   
    Research Project on ‘Drama therapy as a form of Group counseling among drug addicts/abusers; Case Study of Mathari Hospital – Drug Rehabilitation Unit.’
  • BA Drama & Theatre Studies, 1st Class Honours – Maseno University, 2000 – 2005
    Minors in Communication and Media Studies.

Profile

I am a Senior Lecturer of film and performing Arts at KCA University, and a French African Young Leaders Program Laurette (2019). I am an award-winning filmmaker and the founder of the Lake International PanAfrican Film Festival (LIPFF). I have served as a member of the Kenya Film and stage plays Act Cap 222 and the Kenya Film Policy task force, the Kenya Cultural Centre Act task force and as an Executive Committee member of the Kenya National Music and Cultural Festival under the Ministry of Sports and Heritage (2017-2020).

I was the top Judge for the Ms President Reality TV Show on KTN HOME-Kenya for 2 seasons. I have been instrumental in the curriculum development of Theatre Courses in major institutions in Kenya, and for the Talent Based Academies at the County level. I am an author, Performing Artist, Storyteller, an award-winning Director and Producer. I am an Artivist and my works focus on changing the African Narrative with a great focus on Women Issues evident in my One Woman Shows and films. I am the Winner Best Solo Performance by a Woman during KITFEST 2023, Best Director WIFA 2022, Winner of Spotlight on Kenya Music 2006.

I have done 6 One woman stage shows and produced and directed 11 films. I have also won 10 grants for research and creative arts. I have supervised several student practical projects and successfully supervised 7 to graduation with more still under supervision. I have also published on several peer reviewed publications. I have been a speaker in several public events and my opinions are highly regarded in the Creative Arts and Gender Development Spaces.

Selected Publications: Books, Refereed publications & Non Refereed publications

  • 2024    Use of Dramatherapy to Voice Teens Issues, Journal of East African Theatre, Published by the Kenya International Theatre Festival Trust.
  • 2023    The design of characters in Tinga Tinga Tales: A Kenyan animation film, Kihima, Mugubi, Okoth, Shapaya.  African Jornal of Emerging Issues. https://ajoeijournals.org/sys/index.php/ajoei/article/view/477
  • 2023    Future directions for theatre in Kenya: reality is the new fiction in theatre, Jahazi Theatre Journal by Twaweza Communications.
    https://jahazi.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jahazi-11.1-online-version_compressed1.pdf
  • 2022    Editor and expert advisor for the Collection of Short Stories for the Everyday Clean Project, Strachan Zoe, Okoth Zippora and Robinson Jude, a collaboration project between University of Nairobi, the International Livestock Research Institute, the University of Liverpool and the University of Glasgow.
    https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/researchinnovationengagementsupport/tri/casestudies/everydayclean/
  • 2022    Written and published OTIS JANAM, an adaptation of the Luo Mythology on ‘Nyamgodho’ which has now been adapted into a feature film under the Kenya Film Empowerment Grant.
  • 2021    The Business of Theatre In Kenya; The Artist as an Entrepreneur. (Nov. 2021), Journal of East African Theatre, Published by the Kenya International Theatre Festival Trust.
  • 2021    Chief Editor and Research Writer for ‘Tools of Conscience toolkits for the Amnesty Human Rights Clubs and Chapters.’ Published and copyright of Amnesty.
  • 2021    Written and published TIGO: Sacred Beads, A play based on the mythology of the Luo Community.
  • 2020    New Voices in Africa, Cinema as Premonition, Covid-19 as Possibility, Expert Article, Institute Montaigne Journal, (Published online on October 2020), https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/experts/zippora-okoth
  • 2019    OOPS ZIPPY: From the Diary of a Divorced Woman, Novel Book, Published in 2019 and has sold over 1000 copies and performed on theatre stage
  • 2019    Turning Monologue into Play: A journey through self-revelatory theatre in the one woman play Diary of a Divorced Woman by Zippy Okoth, (February 2019), Enhancing Creativity for Youth Empowerment and Community Development Proceedings Journal.
    http://research.tukenya.ac.ke/images/abstracts/2019/tuk-creativity-conference-proceedings-03-03-19.pdf
  • 2017    Potentials of Drama Therapy in Unmasking the Personae of Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation among the Kenyan Maasai, (2017), Dr. Zippora Okoth and Prof. John Mugubi, Journal of African Theatre Film and Media Discourse. https://journal.ku.ac.ke/index.php/kujat/article/view/123
  • 2014    Phd. in Theatre Arts, Research on ‘Use of Dramatherapy in unlocking voices of Female Genital Mutilation Survivors.’ (2014)

Other Publications

2022      Published OTIS JANAM, a screenplay on Women Empowerment and Sports

2021      Published TIGO: Sacred Beads, A play based on the mythology of the Luo Community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PrMen6aLSQ

2019OOPS ZIPPY: From the Diary of a Divorced Woman, Novel Book, Published in 2019.https://nuriakenya.com/product/oops-zippy-from-the-diary-of-a-divorced-woman-by-zippora-agatha-okoth-dr-zippy-okoth/

2014 Ph.D. in Theatre Arts, Research on ‘Use of Dramatherapy in unlocking voices of Female Genital Mutilation Survivors.’ (2014)
https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/11943

Research Interest

  • Performing Arts, Drama Therapy, Gender and Development, Youth and Development, Film for Development, Theatre for Development, Community Mobilization, Audience Psychology, Directing and Production of Film, Entertainment Trends, Film Festivals and Markets, Digital Media, Social Media Marketing, Psychology of Creative Arts.

Current Research Project(s)

  • MNET DSTV September 2022 Project Director for a Commissioning grant to produce a feature
    • Film ‘Sisters Alone’) for Maisha Magic Movies. (Kshs. 1,500,000)
  • MNET DSTV January- March 2022 Project Director for a Commissioning grant to produce a feature
    • Film ‘Contract Love) for Maisha Magic Movies. (Kshs. 1,000,000)
  • ISD GLOBAL (Institute of Strategic Dialogues) – Chief Consultant to train Youth in Nakuru to script
    • and produce a short film ‘Zedi’ on Violent Extremism. (Kshs. 400,000)
  • AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KENYA
    • March – April 2021 Chief Consultant on development of Tools of Conscience Template and toolkits for the Amnesty Human Rights Clubs and Chapters. (Kshs. 240,000)
  • AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KENYA
    • January – August 2020 Chief Consultant on use of Film for Human Rights Education, among Youth and Teens. Creation of a module and short films for the human rights education Schools Project. Short films are ‘Silence’, ‘Pieces’ ‘The End’ (Kshs. 1,000,000)
  • POVERTY ERADICATION NETWORK KENYA (PEN)
    • June 2016 – June 2017 – Through Pen, we developed a film and theatre curriculum for Association of Slum Media Organisations for Youth Vocational Training and a Life Skills through photography curriculum for the kids clubs. Training trainers on the curriculum and helping create partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the film industry. (Kshs. 1,300,000)

Conferences & Chapters

1-20
21-40
  • 2024 April. – Presented a paper during A Handbook of Women Filmmakers in Kenyan Cinema conference on ‘MOTHERING TRAUMAS IN SELECTED KENYAN FILMS’ held on April 3rd to 5th at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel Nairobi.
  • 2024 March – Panelist at the Kenya Film Industry Stakeholders Summit on ‘Access to financing for film projects, risk management and insurance.’ held on 21st March at Sarova Stanley Nairobi.
  • 2024 February – Facilitator at a UNESCO Workshop on ‘Skills for Arts and Culture in Education.’ held at Kabarak University in celebration of World Mother Language Day.
  • 2024 February – Attended a training workshop by Centre for Teaching and Learning on ‘Empowering educators, building a foundation for student success’ held on 20th – 22nd February, 2024at The Utalii Hotel, Nairobi.
  • 2023 September – Facilitator at a UNESCO Workshop on ‘Gender Inclusive and Fair Practices in Culture and Creative Industries.’ held at Machakos University Conference Centre from 12th-14th September 2023.
  • 2022 September – Speaker at the UNESCO Conference on ‘The State of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in Eastern Africa: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Growth’ on 1st September 2022, Pride Inn Hotel, Westlands. Focus was on ‘Opportunities for the Arts in Academia.’
  • 2022 February – Attended the Performing Arts Conference and presented a paper on ‘Place of Theatre for Social Therapy.’ Held at the Kenya Cultural Centre by KITFEST (Kenya International, Theatre Festival.)
  • 2022 January – Facilitated a workshop on ‘Goal Setting and Vision Setting’ for Business People under Organisation of Women Traders (OWIT) Nairobi Chapter.
  • 2021 November – Attended the KITFEST 2021 Symposium at the Kenya Cultural Centre.
  • 2021 November – Participant at the OWIT Nairobi Conference held at the Safari Park Hotel.
  • 2020 February- Attended an International Cultural Heritage Symposium organized by the British Council and Twaweza Communications on ‘Culture Grows, Between Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ 27th-28th February 2020 at the National Museums of Kenya.
  • 2019 May – Attended a Syllabus Review and Trainers Workshop organized by the Kenya Music and Cultural Festival under the Department of Culture and the Arts on 14th -19th May 2019.
  • 2019 March –  Attended a Stakeholders Sensitization Workshop on the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) to empower artists on how to apply for the UNESCO Funds, on 7th and 8th March at KICD.
  • 2019 March – Facilitated a session on repackaging the Kenya National Drama Festival for the 20th Century, organized by the Festival Committee and the KFCB in Kisumu.
  • 2019 February – Attended a KNATCOM/UNESCO Workshop to Validate Standard Research Tools for conducting National Survey on Status of Cultural and Creative Industries in Kenya at the Kenya Cultural Centre on 19th/2/2019.
  • 2019 February – Presented a paper at the on the 2nd Arts, Education and Community Engagement Conference, organized by Cooperative University of Kenya and Technical University of Kenya at the Serena PanAfrica Hotel in Nairobi on 7th & 8th
  • 2018 October – Attended a KNATCOM/UNESCO Capacity Building workshop on the 1980 recommendation on the Status of the Artist, the 1972 and 2005 Convention on 11th-12th October 2018 at KICD
  • 2018 March – Panelist during the World Intellectual Property Day organized by KECOBO at the National Museums of Kenya.
  • 2018 March – Presented a paper on Adaptation of African Mythology into theatre Musicals in the 21st Century: Revisiting the Production of Tigo the Musical, in the Mid-American Theatre Conference in Milwaukee-USA,
  • 2017 Sept – Attended the African Union Convention FEPACI Conference on ‘Cinema and Audio Visual Audience as participant.

Research Grants

  • GENDER EQUALITY GRANT January 2024 – Principal Investigator on the British Council Gender Equality grant between University of Nottingham and KCA University on ‘Prevention of Gender-Based Violence: The Challenge for Kenyan Universities (25,000 Pounds.)
  • FILAMU FUPI PROGRAM October 2023– Co-Lead Consultant under the Youth Film Platform Organisation on a 12-month program on training Youth in slums on Film and Soft Skills. Supported by the US Embassy in Kenya.
  • KENYA FILM COMMISSION – Won a Film Production Grant under the GIZ-Kenya Partnership Grant for production of the film ‘OTIS JANAM’ in collaboration with Legacy Arts and Film Lab
  • KCA ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FILM PROJECT June 2023 – Directed a Film ‘Do or Die’ supported by the University Student Projects Fund, to conduct a workshop and produce a film in collaboration with film industry stakeholders.
  • MNET DSTV September 2022 Project Director for a Commissioning grant to produce a feature Film ‘Sisters Alone’) for Maisha Magic Movies. (Kshs. 1,500,000)
  • MNET DSTV January- March 2022 Project Director for a Commissioning grant to produce a feature Film ‘Contract Love) for Maisha Magic Movies. (Kshs. 1,000,000)
  • ISD GLOBAL (Institute of Strategic Dialogues) – Chief Consultant to train Youth in Nakuru to script and produce a short film ‘Zedi’ on Violent Extremism. (Kshs. 400,000)
  • AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KENYA March – April 2021 Chief Consultant on development of Tools of Conscience Template and toolkits for the Amnesty Human Rights Clubs and Chapters. (Kshs. 240,000)
  • AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KENYA January – August 2020 Chief Consultant on use of Film for Human Rights Education with a focus on Gender Based Violence among Youth and Teens. This involved doing a needs assessment with youth groups in Kenya namely, Kisumu, Kibera and Machakos on gender-based violence. Creation of a module and short films for the human rights education Schools Project. Short films are ‘Silence’, ‘Pieces’ ‘The End’ (Kshs. 1,000,000)
  • POVERTY ERADICATION NETWORK KENYA (PEN)June 2016 – June 2017 – Through Pen, we developed a film and theatre curriculum for Association of Slum Media Organisations for Youth Vocational Training and a Life Skills through photography curriculum for the kids clubs. Training trainers on the curriculum and helping create partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the film industry. (Kshs. 1,300,000)

Consultancy and Training

  • KCAU CENTRE FOR LEARNING AND EXCELLENCE LAUNCH (CTLE)
    • July 14th 2022 – Moderated a high-profile panel discussion session on ‘Effective Learner Engagement in the Digital Era’
  • MS PRESIDENT REALITY TV SHOW SEASON 2
    • June 2022 – November 2022 Top Judge of the Ms President reality show, in search for Kenya’s female president, on KTN HOME. Also available on You Tube as Ms President, by Media Focus on Africa.
  • KALASHA FILM MARKETS
    • June 10-12th 2022 Moderator of the Film Acquisitions Pitch Speed Dating at the Kalasha International Film Markets.
  • ORGANISATION OF WOMEN IN TRADE (OWIT)
    • November 25-26th 2021 – Master of Ceremony at the OWIT Regional Conference held at the Safari Park Hotel.
  • RUSHLAKE MEDIA
    • Feb 2021 – To date Consultant on Film Acquisitions and Distribution
  • WOMEN IN FILM AWARDS
    • January – March 2020 Chief Juror of the Women in Film Awards Kenya.
  • MS PRESIDENT REALITY TV SHOW
    • January 2019 – July 2019 Top Judge of the Ms President reality show, in search for Kenya’s first female president, on KTN HOME. Also available on YouTube as Ms President, by Media Focus on Africa.
  • KALASHA FILM AND TV MARKET
    • March 2019 – Juror for the Film and Animation Pitching categories.
  • KENYA MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL
    • 2017 – 2020 – Member of the National Executive Committee for the Kenya Music and Cultural Festival under Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts.
  • EAST AFRICA LAW SOCIETY
    • DECEMBER 2018 – The Chief Master of Ceremony of the events of the East Africa Law Society 3 day conference.
  • KALASHA FILM AND TV AWARDS
    • 2018 –  Chief Jury of the Kalasha Film and TV Awards whose Festival was dated 24th
  • AFRICAN UNION CONFERENCE
  • 2017 September – Was moderator of International African Ministry Leaders at a side event of the African Union Convention FEPACI Conference on ‘Cinema and Audio Visual Audience’ at the KICC Grounds.
  • RIVERWOOD FILM FESTIVAL 2017
    • 2016 -March 2018 – Member of the Jury in the Riverwood International Film Festival whose awards held on 11th March 2015.
  • KENYA FILM POLICY TASK FORCE COMMITTEE
    • September 2016 – 2018 – Member of the Kenya Film Policy team elected by the creative economy and acknowledged by the Ministry of Sports Culture and the Arts. Whose mandate was to participate in the drafting of a harmonized film policy.
  • ASMO – KCA UNIVERSITY
    • Jan – July 2017 Review of the KCA Certificate in Film and Theatre Arts Curriculum into a competency based curriculum, and negotiate for an MOU between ASMO and KCA University to enable the University certify the ASMO trained students on Certificate in film and theatre arts.
  • KWALE COUNTY FILM & THEATRE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
    • February –March 2016 – Developed a film and theatre curriculum for Kwale County Youth Vocational Training to be offered to out-of-school youth in Kwale Sub counties with focus on Film and Theatre for Development.
  • KENYA FILM CLASSIFICATION BOARD (KFCB)
    • February 24th 2016 – Facilitated a training sponsored by KFCB to Film Examiners on ‘Process of Film Analysis and Classification’ held at Uchumi House.
  • MACHAWOOD FILM FESTIVAL 2015
    • Dec 2015 – Member of the Jury in the inaugural Machakos International Film Festival dubbed Machawood Film Festival whose awards were held on 12th December 2015.
  • LEGACY ARTS AND FILM LAB (K) LTD
    • May – August 2015 – Developed a strategic plan for Legacy Arts and Film Lab. The Lab offers periodic film and theatre mentorship workshops on film, photography, theatre arts and community development.
  • KIAMBU COUNTY IKO TALENT FESTIVAL
    • April 2015 – Chief Judge Kiambu iko talent Limuru and Lari Sub counties. (Items on dance, solo and choir singing, drama, poetry, rap, spoken word, special talent, DJ, Fine Art and fashion and design.)
  • KENYATTA UNIVERSITY PRODUCTIONS
    • September –October 2015 Scripting and Directing the KU@30 Celebrations.
    • October 2013 – April 2014 Scripting and Directing the KU Theatre Musical Concert ‘Reflections of an era’ to celebrate Kenya at 50. Fusing Kenyan Music and Dance through the generations from Independence to date in a dramatic play. The play received a lot of recognition in the media and helped raise funds for the KU Foundation Scholarships.
  • KIAMBU COUNTY IKO TALENT YOUTH FESTIVAL
    • April 2014 – Chief Judge of Kiambu iko talent held in Ruiru & Kiambu Sub-counties. (Items on dance, solo and choir singing, drama, poetry, rap, spoken word, special talent, DJ, Fine Art and fashion and design.)
  • KENYA REGIONAL DRAMA FESTIVAL-LAKE REGION
    • March 19th -23rd 2013 – Adjudicating the Secondary Schools Drama Festival.
  • KENYA NATIONAL DRAMA FESTIVAL WORKSHOP 2011
    • (Kisumu, Kenya) – January 16th-22nd 2011 – Facilitating on Dance Choreography “Dance Beyond the Festival” to Teacher Producers in preparation for the 2011 Drama Festivals.
  • MINISTRY OF YOUTH TALENT ACADEMY –
    • December 2011 (Nairobi.) August 2011 (Nairobi) December 2010 (Nairobi) – Training Youth on Theatre Skills and Entrepreneurship in the Entertainment field.
  • JHPIEGO –  September 24th – 28th 2007, (Ofafa Jericho)  
    • Training youth on peer education, reproductive health, STDs and STIs, Family Planning Methods, Rape and Safe Abortion.
  • PATH –  August 23rd to September 9th 2007, Uganda (Jinja and Iganga)  
    • Training trainers on the PATHS’ SFS (Scouting for Solutions) Project, on gender, Participatory training approaches, peer education on Behaviour Change Communication and HIV/AIDS and Theatre for Children and Youth

Industry Engagement

  • 2024 – Produced and Directed a Short Film ‘Comrade Calls’ on Sexual Gender Based Violence in Institutions of Higher Learning, in collaboration with KCA University and University of Nottingham, supported by the British Council Gender Equality Grant.
  • 2024 – Created a Feature Film OTIS JANAM. An Independent Film by Legacy Arts and Film Lab.
  • 2023 – Directed a Feature Film DO or Die, A University Project Commissioned KCA University.
  • 2023 – Produced and Directed a Feature Film Otis Janam, A grant awarded by GIZ and the Kenya Film Commission.
  • 2022 – Produced, Directed and Co-wrote a Feature Film Sisters Alone, Commissioned by Maisha Magic Movies.
  • 2022 – Produced, Directed and Co-wrote a Feature Film Contract Love, Commissioned by Maisha Magic Movies and Showmax.
  • 2021 – Produced and Directed a Short Film Zedi Commissioned by ISD Global (Institute of Strategic Dialogues) on Violent Extremism.
  • 2021 – Produced an Advert on Istikbal Furniture and an Advert on Burotime Furniture.
  • 2021 – Directed a Short Film Silence – Commissioned by Amnesty International Kenya
  • 2021 – Produced a Short Film Pieces – Commissioned by Amnesty International Kenya
  • 2021 – Produced a Short Film The End – Commissioned by Amnesty International Kenya
  • 2020 – Produced, Directed and wrote a Feature Film Midlife Crisis – A 2020 multiple Award Nominee Kalasha Awards. Winner Best Director Eldoret Film Festival and Official Selection African Film Festival.
  • 2018 – Produced a Film Multiples to Multiples informercial documentary.
  • 2017 – Produced a Film on Pokot FGM – 2017, A documentary on the Pokot Girls FG

Social Media and Academic Networking Tools

Dr. Zippora Agatha Okoth
Dr.-Zippora-Okoth
zokoth@kcau.ac.ke