NAKURU, Kenya —Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has praised the students of Butere Girls High School for their bold decision to boycott the performance of his play Echoes of War at the ongoing National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
Speaking from Eldama Ravine Police Station, where he was being detained, Malala described the move as a “heroic moment” that underscored the girls’ unwavering courage in the face of official interference.
Malala, who wrote the controversial play, expressed his admiration for the students’ stance after they were denied a chance to perform under fair conditions.
The incident unfolded on Thursday morning, when the Butere Girls students took to the stage but were denied essential performance equipment such as microphones and props—resources provided to other schools at the festival.
The girls, visibly frustrated by the lack of support, sang the national anthem before walking off the stage, demanding the presence of Malala, the director of the play, who had been arrested the night before.
The performance was part of the 2025 National Drama Festival, but the play had already faced significant hurdles.
Initially banned from participating in the festival, Echoes of War critiques contemporary issues like governance, technology, and civil liberties, which many have interpreted as politically charged.
The ban was lifted only days before the festival after a High Court ruling on April 3, when Justice Wilfrida Okwany suspended the order that had blocked the play from being performed.
Malala, a former UDA secretary general, encouraged the students to remain hopeful, assuring them that their actions would be remembered in Kenya’s history.
“I would like to encourage them, let them gather hope and courage,” he said. “This is a great moment whereby they become big players in disseminating relevant information to the public. They are inscribed in history as people who fought for the liberation of this country.”
Malala also expressed his sympathy for the girls, pointing out that the drama festival has long been a platform for young people to express their creative ideas, and it was disheartening to see the students targeted for addressing societal issues.
“It is unfortunate for the officials to victimise young souls who are just out to expose what they think is the rot in society,” he said. “This is just a play, and it has nothing to do with incitement or name-calling.”
The play itself, Echoes of War, centers on a nation recovering from civil war, with youth at the forefront of rebuilding the country.
It also explores the role of digital spaces in governance, giving voice to the Gen Z generation’s call for societal change.
Despite its political undertones, Malala emphasized that the play was a peaceful artistic expression and should not be viewed as a threat.
