Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Butere Diocese Bishop Rose Okeno has called for psychological support and healing prayers for students from Butere Girls High School who returned home deeply shaken after a distressing ordeal during the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru.
The school bus, carrying the girls, arrived back in Butere on Thursday evening under tight security, following days of national attention around their controversial performance, “Echoes of War.” The girls were immediately taken to ACK Butere Church for a special prayer service, where Bishop Okeno led the congregation in comforting the traumatized learners.
In her emotional address to the media after the service, Bishop Okeno described the students as “devastated and traumatised,” revealing that many were visibly distressed and in tears. “We observed that they are so hurt,” she said. “They are crying. When you look at each face, they are so devastated. We pray that God in His mercy will cause healing.”
The ordeal stems from controversy surrounding the students’ play, Echoes of War, a Gen Z-themed production written and directed by Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala. The play, which critiques government actions and explores the power of youth and digital activism in post-conflict nation-building, was initially banned from being performed at the festival.
Despite a court ruling on April 3 by Justice Wilfrida Okwany lifting the ban and allowing the play to proceed, tensions remained high in Nakuru. Reports suggest the students declined to perform at one point, demanding Malala’s release after his reported arrest, adding further emotional strain to the situation.
Bishop Okeno, who has taken a pastoral role in comforting the students, said the incident revealed the need for urgent emotional and mental health interventions. “As a mother and a spiritual leader, I have encouraged them to remain strong,” she said.
The situation has reignited debates around censorship, youth expression, and freedom of artistic creativity in national platforms, with many calling for the protection of student voices and the mental wellbeing of young participants.
