The national government, through the Ministry of Education, has claimed that the original script of Butere Girls’ ‘Echoes of War’ was altered at the regional level.
In an official statement dated Thursday, April 10, 2025, the cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Education, Julius Ogamba, said that at the sub-county level, adjudicators asked Cleophas Malala, who is the scriptwriter, to remove offensive content.
The revised play was cleared at the county level without issues. However, Ogamba says the script was significantly altered again at the regional level to include more offensive themes.
“When the play was adjudicated at the sub-county level, the adjudicators advised the scriptwriter to expunge some of the offensive messages. At the county level, the play did not have any negative sentiments and was judged to proceed to the regional level,” Ogamba disclosed.
“At the regional level, the script was significantly altered to include more offensive themes.”
According to Ogamba, when the play was cleared to proceed to the national level, the school’s Board of Management opted to withdraw it, fearing the altered script could embarrass the school.
He cited Regulation 19.2 of the 2025 festival rules, which states that only minimal changes are allowed, and presenting a new, unadjudicated script at a higher level could lead to disqualification.
“Upon realising that the adjudicators had recommended that the play proceed to the next national level, the school Board of Management felt that the alterations in the play would cause embarrassment to the school and sought to withdraw it from the competition,” he stated.
“Regulation 19.2 of the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival Rules and Regulations 2025 states that alteration of the script should be minimal. Presentation of a new and unadjudicated script at a higher level would lead to disqualification.”
Echoes of war’s withdrawal
Furthermore, the CS stated that the school felt the script had been significantly altered and chose to withdraw it. As a result, it was not submitted to the Executive Secretary and, following procedure, was not scheduled to perform at the national level.
“The school, therefore, felt that the script had been significantly altered and could not be presented at the national level. It was, therefore, withdrawn and not presented to the Executive Secretary by the Regional Secretary during the Regional Secretaries’ meeting held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development on 28th March 2025,” he added.
“As per procedure, when a script is not presented to the Executive Secretary, it is not scheduled to perform at the national level.”
The CS went on to say that after withdrawing the play, the school sent students home for the April holidays.
Play cleared
In the turn of events, the CS says the courts in Kakamega and Kisii ordered that play be staged at the national level, and the students were recalled to Kirobon Girls in Nakuru.
“Two courts, one sitting in Kakamega and another in Kisii, directed that the ‘Echoes of War’ play be presented at the national level. In compliance with the order of the courts, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, announced on Monday, April 7th, 2025, that Butere Girls will present its play “Echoes of War”.
“The school administration was directed to recall the girls who reported to Kirobon Girls in Nakuru at around 3 pm on Wednesday, 9th April. The play was scheduled to be performed on Thursday, April 10, at 8.00 am,” Ogamba added.
He further confirmed that Malala attempted to access the school to train the students, but was blocked by the security.
“However, at around 6 pm on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, former Kakamenga Senator Cleophas Malala, the author of the play script, tried to force his way into Kirobon Girls to train the learners but was barred by the security agents,” Ogamba added.