Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah has claimed that he has been arrested for scripting ‘Echoes of War’ a drama play that was recently performed by Butere Girls High School during the 2025 Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals.
In a video posted on his official social media account on Wednesday, April 9, Malalah said that more than 50 police officers had been sent to arrest him over the play. Speaking from his car, the former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General appeared visibly shaken as he questioned the basis of the arrest.
“It has reached a point in Kenya where I am being arrested for writing a play,” he said. “You’re bringing 50 police officers. What crime have I committed? Writing? You are arresting me for writing a play?” Malala lamented.
Malalah was meant to assess the students today in Nakuru.
In the video, Malalah could be seen addressing a man he referred to as a DCIO, who stood silently and did not respond to Malala’s questions. It’s unclear from the video whether an official arrest was made.
Controversial play
The play at the centre of the controversy, Echoes of War, had performed well in the drama festival circuit, winning at the Butere Sub-County level and placing third at the Western Regional Drama Festivals. However, the play was unexpectedly dropped from the regional winners’ gala, cutting short its journey to the national stage.
Soon after, the school’s drama club was disbanded and students were sent home. The school’s principal, Jennipher Omondi, is said to have acted on a directive that labelled the play inappropriate and ordered it barred from the competition.
In response to this decision, former student and thespian Anifa Mango filed a petition challenging the move. Her lawyer, Kennedy Echesa, argued that the principal’s action was arbitrary, unconstitutional, and infringed on the students’ rights to freedom of expression and fair administrative action.
The High Court presided over by Justice Fridah Okwany, ruled in favour of Mango’s petition. The court ordered the school to recall the 50 drama students and ensure they take part in the National Drama Festivals, which kicked off on April 7, 2025, in Nakuru County.
The situation closely mirrors a similar controversy in 2013, when another play written by Malalah, ‘Shackles of Doom‘ was banned by the Ministry of Education. That play, which tackled sensitive topics like ethnicity, tribalism, and inequality, was eventually cleared by the High Court, allowing students to perform it.
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