A cloud of emotion and protest swept over at the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Music Festival, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, after students from Butere Girls High School made a decision not to stage their play, Echoes of War.
The school play was authored and directed by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.
The visibly distressed 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 décor, 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.
Tight security
The politically charged play, Echoes of War, had been widely anticipated at the festival, with many expecting a powerful presentation.
The Ministry of Education scheduled the performance for Butere Girls on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Melvin Jones International School in Nakuru, under tight security and police escort. Journalists were barred from the venue, and only those with official admission cards were allowed inside.
Outside the school, lawyer Ken Echesa, representing former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, condemned state intimidation.
“We are here as Kenyans to make a statement that these police officers can teargas us, they can kill some of us but they will not kill everyone. One of these fine days the young people of this nation will arise against oppression,” he stated.
Echesa also accused the authorities of forcing the students to perform under harsh conditions, including missing costumes, decor, and sound systems, with the performance time reduced to 10 minutes instead of 25.
“They want them to act in 10 minutes instead of 25 minutes and leave for Butere. This is the kind of oppression that we must stand and say no,” Echesa added.
Furthermore, Echesa revealed that Malala had been moved to Eldama Ravine, over 100 kilometres away, after being arrested under unclear circumstances while preparing the students.
“Cleophas Malala I spoke to him last night but then they took his phone… This morning I again spoke to him through my means and he has been moved to Eldama Ravine, he is not in Nakuru. Their strategy is simple – move him across police stations, let the girls perform under very satanic circumstances and get the girls to leave and release Malala at 2 pm,” Echesa revealed.