Butere Girls High School’s controversial play “Echoes of War” has been cleared for performance at the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival, following a court decision lifting a prior ban. The Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, Dennis Itumbi, has confirmed that the school will take the stage in Nakuru, dispelling concerns that the production had been blocked from participating in the annual festival.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Itumbi affirmed the school’s right to perform and expressed support for the students. “There is a special joy in taking the stage in the National Festival. Student actors and actresses work so hard to get there. It is a cut-throat competition. Butere Girls have not been stopped from performing their play. It will be staged, as far as I know. Nawatakia mema,” he posted.
The affirmation comes in the wake of controversy after former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala claimed he had been stopped by police from rehearsing with the students. A video clip shared online shows Malala in a standoff with law enforcement officers, including a man he identified as the Nakuru area DCIO, outside Kirobon Girls High School — one of the festival’s venues in Rongai sub-county.
The play, which explores sensitive themes such as governance, digital activism, and civil liberties through the lens of a post-war society, had earlier been banned over claims it critiques the government. However, on April 3, 2025, Justice Wilfrida Okwany suspended any letters barring the performance, thereby reinstating the school’s right to participate.
“Echoes of War” has struck a chord with many for its bold narrative, exploring how Gen Z harnesses technology and digital spaces to influence governance and advocate for justice. The play portrays a young generation navigating the aftermath of conflict and stepping up to shape their nation’s future.
With the legal hurdle cleared, the spotlight is now back on the stage, where Butere Girls will showcase their powerful production — a reflection of the role of art in shaping public discourse.
