Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has dismissed claims that the government barred Butere Girls High School from performing their controversial play Echoes of War at the ongoing Kenya National Drama Festival held at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru.
The play, which explores themes of youth activism and resistance widely interpreted as a reflection of Gen Z’s dissent against government oppression has stirred public debate. Some quarters accused the state of censorship and suppressing student voices.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday evening, CS Ogamba clarified that the government had no role in halting the performance. He noted that the students were granted a slot to perform at 8 a.m., but opted not to proceed after their director, former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, was barred from the premises.
“The government did not stop Butere Girls from performing. They were scheduled and even stepped on stage. However, one of them declared they wouldn’t perform without their director, Mr. Malala,” Ogamba said.
He added that inviting non-teachers to coach students in co-curricular activities is against Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regulations. “School principals must adhere to the rules governing drama and film festivals. Political figures should not be involved in directing school performances,” he emphasized.
Ogamba also shed light on the script’s evolution, stating that at the sub-county level, adjudicators had flagged certain offensive themes. These were initially removed, allowing the play to progress to the regional level. However, by the time it reached the national stage, the script had been “significantly altered” with additional controversial elements, prompting the school’s board to withdraw it.
Although the students were sent home for the April holidays, a court later ordered the play to be staged. Still, due to procedural gaps including the play not being submitted to the Executive Secretary it was not officially scheduled for the national event.
Ogamba reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing student talent but stressed the need to respect regulations. “Let political battles remain outside learning institutions. We must protect our students from being used as tools in political agendas,” he concluded.
