Former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala has been arrested for allegedly scripting ‘Echoes of War’ drama play.
Malala, while confirming the news of his arrest in a video on his official social media account on Wednesday, April 9, could be heard lamenting how more than 50 police officers came to arrest him for writing the drama play.
At the same time, the former Senator could also be seen questioning the officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), asking them to explain why he was being arrested.
“I am now being arrested for scripting a play, ECHOES OF WAR. Shame!!!” Cleophas Malala wrote.
“It has reached to a point in Kenya where I get arrested for writing a play, and they come with fifty police officers. What crime have I committed by writing a play script?”
Malala alleged that the DCI officers have been used to arrest him for only writing the Echoes of war.
The Echoes of war play was performed by Butere Girls High School during the high school Drama and Film Festivals.
Malala was also blocked by DCI officers and uniformed police outside Kirobon Girls’ School after attempting to reach students from Butere Girls for rehearsal purposes.
The students are scheduled to perform the controversial play Echoes of War tomorrow morning at the ongoing National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru.
Courts Rules on Echoes of War Play After It was Pulled from 2025 Drama Contest
However, the school faced a huge blow after the play was controversially dropped from the Western Regional winners’ gala, and the school’s drama club was instructed to send its members home, halting preparations for the national event.
This was despite the school’s strong performance, having won at the Butere Sub-County level and securing third place at the Western Regional Drama Festivals.
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However, on April 3, Justice Wilfrida Okwany directed Butere Girls High School Principal, Jennifer Omondi, to recall the 50 students involved in the play for participation in the Nakuru event.
The judge also suspended any communication barring the school from taking part in the national festival.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok on Monday April 7 confirmed that students from Butere Girls High School will perform their play, Echoes of War, at the ongoing Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru County.
Speaking after officially opening the 63rd edition of the annual schools and colleges festival at Melvin Jones Hall in Nakuru, B Bitok assured the public that the students would showcase their presentation as planned.
“There were issues raised earlier, but they have been resolved. I don’t want us to dwell on them—I can assure the public that the play will go on,” said Bitok.
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The removal of Echoes of War drew striking parallels to the 2013 ban of Shackles of Doom, a play also penned by former UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala.
Details of the Play Scripted by Malala
The play depicted the struggle for young people on civil liberties, including social justice and governance issues, among others that strongly resonates with Generation Z.
Set in the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates, the story follows a nation emerging from civil war, where young people are at the forefront of rebuilding institutions.
Characters are seen fighting for better healthcare, education, and justice systems while tackling the implications of modern technology.
The protagonist, Mustafa, is a final-year IT student who develops Telemedicine, a software that connects patients to doctors worldwide.
However, his involvement in the political discussions surrounding the past war, as reflected in his social media history (controversial ones linked to the war), puts him at odds with the ruling authorities.
Another key character, Anifa Imana, is an artificial intelligence (AI) system that embodies both the benefits and dangers of technology in modern governance.
Through these elements, the play critiques the role of digital platforms in shaping political landscapes and highlights the power of youth in driving societal change.
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