NAIROBI, Kenya — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a strong condemnation of the government’s handling of the Butere Girls High School’s controversial play Echoes of War, which was scheduled to be performed at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
The party criticized the government for attempting to suppress the voices of the students, a move they argue undermines the principles of free expression enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution.
In a statement issued Thursday, the party drew parallels between the situation and historical struggles for freedom, referencing the South African film Sarafina, which centered on students’ fight against apartheid.
It argued that just as the voices of young people were vital in the South African liberation struggle, they are equally important in Kenya’s ongoing national conversation about governance and social issues.
“The biggest lesson from Sarafina was that even the voices of school children matter, and indeed, because of their innocence and purity, are more crucial in the ultimate national conversation,” the statement read.
Statement on play by Butere Girls High School at the ongoing National Drama Festival.
The ODM statement comes after a series of events that saw the Butere Girls’ performance interrupted at the festival.
The play, which tackles critical social issues, including the role of youth in governance and the challenges of post-conflict recovery, had sparked significant tension, with reports of harassment directed at the students and the media.
The situation escalated when the girls were denied the opportunity to perform, and police and security forces were reportedly used to disperse crowds.
ODM has demanded the immediate cessation of these actions and called for the government to allow the students to perform their play without interference.
“Serious questions arise when a government is scared of children’s art, a mere expression of talent in a high school festival,” said Sifuna.
The statement also highlighted the broader issue of freedom of expression in Kenya, with ODM reiterating that the Constitution guarantees the right for individuals, regardless of age, to express their opinions freely—even when those opinions may be uncomfortable or critical of the government.
The ongoing situation has sparked widespread debate about the role of art and free speech in Kenyan society, with many questioning whether the government’s actions are an attempt to silence dissent or simply a heavy-handed response to the political nature of the play’s content.
