Butere Girls High School Play titled “Echoes of War” has been in the headlines after the events that the arrest of the script writer Cleophas Malala and the unfolding at Melvin Jones Academy in Nakuru on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
The government has been hugely criticized for ‘suppressing’ the play while a section of leaders has condemned the intention and timing of the Play.
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Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has termed the events that transpired during the ongoing Kenya National Drama Festival in Nakuru as regrettable.
Koome said it is disturbing that these events occurred against the backdrop of clear and binding court orders issued by the High Court sitting in Kisii.
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The High Court directed the school administration and the organizers of the Kenya National Drama Festivals to facilitate and ensure that 50 students of Butere Girls High School participate in and perform their play titled ‘Echoes of War’ at the national drama festival.
“What transpired today raises grave concerns about the extent to which those orders of the High Court were respected and complied with. It is a foundational principle of our constitutional democracy that all persons and institutions including State organs, State officers, and public officials are bound by and must obey court orders. Defiance of court orders not only undermines the authority of the courts but also poses a serious threat to the rule of law, which is the bedrock of our society,” Koome said.
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Koome said the judiciary is troubled by the use of force and violence against school-going children in the course of the events.
She said such actions raise serious constitutional questions about respect for the dignity, rights, and welfare of children, who enjoy special protection under the Constitution, the Children Act, and international human rights instruments.
She condemned the incident, stating that it deviated from the path of the constitutional duty to protect the rights of all, especially the children of public and private life.
“I wish to make it clear to all state organs, state officers, and public officers that respect for court orders is not optional. Any deviation from this path erodes public confidence in our institutions and poses a danger to our democracy,” she said.
3:00 PM: Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has asked politicians to stay out of the activities of schools.
Kipchumba questioned why Malala was the script for the “Echoes War” Play by Butere Girls instead of the teachers.
He asked politicians and other people to use avenues like the National Theatre to showcase their creativity and allow teachers to do their job.
“I wonder why a politician is the script for students. Why can’t we allow the teachers to do this? Even the competition loses value if it doesn’t allow teachers to write the script. Let the school do its job,” he said.
Murkomen, however, said the security officers will protect students since they have the right and freedom of expression.
“They can appreciate and question the wrong things in society. They have a right to disagree with the government of the day. But some boundaries have been set in the education sector,” he said.
Muturi Slams Govt Over ‘Echoes of War’
1:02 AM- Former Public Service CS Justin Muturi condemned the actions of the police at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
Muturi said the action by police teargassing Butere Girls students mark a dark and shameful chapter in Kenya’s national story.
“When a government starts trembling at the sight of schoolgirls performing a play, then we must all pause and ask: what exactly is it running from?” Muturi asked?
“What threat does a group of uniformed girls pose to the mighty State? None, unless truth itself has become unbearable to hear.”
Malala Claims 15 Butere Girls Missing After Drama
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has claimed that 15 Butere Girls High School students are missing.
He made the statement while speaking outside Eldama Ravine Police Station on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Malala said he has received information that the students are missing and asked security officers to produce them.
He also asked police to stop using force on the students, stating that they have done nothing wrong.
“Our cast comprises 38 girls. We have received information that 15 girls are missing. We want to know where our girls are. Police should produce the girls,” Malala said.
Ogamba Issues Statement
12:43AM – Education CS Julius Ogamba says government did not stop Butere Girls from performing. Ogaamba said the students declined demanding Malala’s presence.
12:20 PM– Oscar Sudi asks parents and teachers to protect children from being used in ‘political wars by selfish ‘politicians.’
“Our children need to be mentored to engage in plays and theatre that bring out cohesion, not divisions. Immersing children in dirty politics doesn’t echo unity for our country.”
12:00PM-Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has been released from police Custody at Eldama Ravine Police Station. He was arrested on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
11:45 AM- ODM Takes Stand on Butere Girls’ Play
ODM Party has stood with Butere Girls over the Play and criticized the government for using force to suppress the students.
The Party said the country has watched with disbelief the unfolding drama at the National Drama festival in Nakuru where the government has seemingly run scared of a play by Butere Girls, titled “Echoes of War”.
“We wish to condemn in the strongest terms possible, the mistreatment of Butere Girls High School, journalists and other festival goers and join other Kenyans in demanding that the authorities allow the young artists to stage their play like all else,” reads part of the statement.
11:36 AM-Malala’s Son Sends Message to Ruto
Malala’s son, Leone Malala asked President William Ruto to order for the release of his dad.
Leone described him as a writer, a patriot, and a leader who was arrested for just writing a play.
He explained that Echoes of War, a play that reflects the challenges the Gen
“With all due respect, Mr. President, I ask: where did the freedom of expression in this country go? I would like to remind you that the youth of this country are watching, we see what you are doing, and history will not forget. Please, do not frustrate my dad. I ask you—please release my father.”
10:34 AM- ‘Ruto must go’ chants rock Nakuru after Butere Girls fail to perform play at National Drama Festivals.
10:19 AM- US Supreme Court: “Neither students nor teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Hongera Butere Girls High School.
9:39 AM- Butere Girls decline to perform the controversial ‘Echoes of War’ play and stage a walkout; complain about police harassment.
8:22 AM- Police bar journalists, students and members of the public from entering Melvin Jones Hall as Butere Girls are set to perform the play Echoes of War.
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