Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has commended the learners of Butere Girls High School for their bold protest after being denied proper support for their play, Echoes of War, at the National Drama Festival.
Speaking on phone from Eldama Ravine Police Station on early Thursday, Mr Malala described their decision to walk out as a “heroic moment.”
The play, directed by Mr Malala, critiques contemporary issues such as governance, technology, and social justice. The students were denied key resources like microphones and props, leading them to sing the national anthem before walking off the stage.
“It was a heroic moment for those girls because they wouldn’t have performed without the audience, decor, costume, and their directors,” Mr Malala said, criticising officials for denying the students the opportunity to perform.
He encouraged the girls to stay hopeful, reminding them that they are now part of Kenya’s history. “They have been inscribed in history as people who fought for the liberation of this country,” he said.
The play’s themes, which challenge government policies and explore civil liberties, had initially led to the ban of Butere Girls from participating. However, a court ruling on April 3 lifted the ban, allowing them to perform.
Malala sympathised with the students, urging festival officials to recognise that the play is not about incitement. “This is just a play, and it has nothing to do with incitement or name-calling,” he stated, calling for a more open approach to artistic expression.
Malala’s support for the girls highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and the importance of youth activism in shaping Kenya’s future.
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