Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has reassured parents about the safety of all Butere Girls’ Drama Club members, following reports that 15 students were missing.
Speaking to the media in Nakuru County on Thursday, April 10, 2025, Malala confirmed that the missing girls had been found and were safe.
In addition, he pointed out that the 15 girls had found their way back to the camp and assured parents that there was no cause for alarm, as he has a competent team looking after them during the national drama festivals
“There was a report that 15 girls from Butere Girls’ were missing, but I want to assure all parents that they have all been accounted for. They took themselves there to their camp,” Malala assured parents.
“I have a very competent cast from Butere Girls.”
Missing students
Malala had earlier sounded the alarm about the missing Butere Girls’ students.
However, he did not elaborate on the exact circumstances under which the 15 students went missing.
“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,” he told reporters after his release.
Malala on interference
Malala emphasised the need to keep politics and administrative issues out of the Kenyan National Drama Festivals, which are important cultural events that have helped nurture and promote the talent of many individuals.
“We do not want interference from the political class or administrators in the Kenyan National Drama Festivals. These are festivals we celebrate, and they have nurtured many of us,” he remarked.
Drama at Melvin Jones
Earlier in the morning, Butere Girls’ bus was seen leaving Melvin Jones International School in Nakuru—the venue of this year’s Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Music Festival—with students on board.
It’s not clear if the students went missing before, during, or after the drama that was witnessed at Melvin Jones.
Butere Girls students stormed out of the performance venue moments before their scheduled act. Many were in tears, shouting and demanding answers over what they termed as harassment, neglect, and intimidation by authorities.
According to the students, their decision was not sudden. They claimed they had endured a series of frustrations in the moments leading up to the performance. They said they were denied a proper stage setup with no sound system, no decor, and no support to help them deliver their play.
“We were harassed by the police. We went to the stage with nothing — no sound, no décor, nothing. So we sang the national anthem and left,” one of the students said, visibly livid.
The situation grew more intense as students began demanding the whereabouts of their play director, Cleophas Malala, who they claimed had gone missing weeks before the national competition. The girls said they had not received proper guidance or rehearsal time without him.
“We want our director. We are not performing without our director,” several students shouted in unison.
“Where is Mr. Cleophas? We want him. We are not going back to Butere,” the students declared.