Butere Girls High School, a national school situated in Marama Central, Butere Sub-County, Kakamega County, has found itself at the center of a national storm following the banning of its drama festival play Echoes of the War. The play, authored by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, was deemed political and sparked heated debate after it was pulled from the ongoing Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.
Echoes of the War explores the struggles of youth in advocating for better governance. Though Butere Girls had remained relatively under the radar for years, the school gained national attention after First Lady Rachel Ruto, an alumna, began championing it—leading to increased visibility and prestige.
Cleophas Malala, known for his long-standing involvement in theatre before entering politics, has written 82 plays, including the 2013 award-winning Shackles of Doom, which tackled themes of ethnicity and unequal resource distribution, and was also performed by Butere Girls.
However, his latest work has been met with resistance. Critics, especially politicians, claim Malala is using students to push a political agenda. The government initially barred the school from performing the play, but the High Court later ruled in favor of Butere Girls.
Despite the court ruling, the drama took a dramatic turn on April 10th in Nakuru. Police officers were deployed to block the performance, and Senator Malala was denied entry. In protest, Form Two students from Butere Girls declined to perform, citing an infringement of their rights. Instead, they sang the national anthem and exited the stage.
Their act of defiance sparked a wave of solidarity. Other participating schools followed suit, refusing to perform. Journalists and members of the public were also barred from entering the performance venue, further fueling public outrage.
Reactions have been swift and divisive. Nairobi MCA Robert Alai called for accountability, insisting that teachers who allowed the students to prepare and attempt to perform the play should face disciplinary action. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen questioned Malala’s involvement in the drama festival, accusing him of politicizing the event through schoolgirls.
On the other hand, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticized the government’s response, condemning the alleged use of tear gas on minors. The ODM party also issued a strong statement denouncing the hostility directed at Butere Girls and the censorship of Echoes of the War.
The incident has sparked a broader national conversation about freedom of expression, the role of art in politics, and the boundaries of student participation in national discourse.
