NAIROBI, Kenya – If there were ever a time when Kenya’s drama festivals truly lived up to the name, it’s now.
At the center? Echoes of War, a politically charged play by Butere Girls High School that’s drawn national attention—and sharp criticism from one of Kenya’s most recognizable political voices.
Kenya African National Union (Kanu) Chairman Gideon Moi isn’t mincing words. In a press statement, he accused the government of stifling artistic expression and defying a court order in its efforts to block the play’s performance.
The result, he says, is an unsettling pattern that threatens the country’s democratic ideals.
Butere Girls are not enemies of the state but the daughters of this nation. They should be celebrated – Gideon Moi
Court Victory, But Still No Curtain Call
Let’s rewind a bit. Echoes of War, written by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, is not your typical school play.
It tackles heavy themes—governance failures, social justice, youth struggles, and the chaotic aftermath of political unrest. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t sit well with everyone.
Initially barred from proceeding to the national level, the play received a legal lifeline on April 3, 2025, when Justice Wilfrida Okwany temporarily lifted the ban.
Her ruling cleared the way for Butere Girls to perform at the national festival, which runs from April 7–15.
However, the celebration was short-lived. Malala, who was overseeing rehearsals in Nakuru, was arrested by police—despite holding a court-sanctioned right to direct the play.
In a video circulating online, a visibly upset Malala demanded answers: “The High Court has allowed me to direct the play. They are performing tomorrow. Why are you arresting me?”
While he was later released, the incident fueled suspicions that the government was defying the court and doubling down on censorship.
A History of Silencing and the Irony at Play
Gideon Moi didn’t hold back in his official statement. He called the government’s actions “ironic,” pointing out that peaceful artistic expression was being criminalized while politically connected groups were allowed to act with impunity.
“It is ironic that peaceful expression is criminalised while violence by elements allied to the state is either ignored or covertly encouraged,” he said.
For Malala, this isn’t his first run-in with censorship. In 2013, his play Shackles of Doom was banned, only to be reinstated after a lengthy court battle. He remains undeterred.
“I cannot be intimidated. I will write what I want, think how I want. Nobody can censor me,” he declared.
Kanu’s chairman echoed the playwright’s sentiments, saying the situation highlights a dangerous disconnect between the current administration and the Kenyan people.
With economic strain growing and dissatisfaction mounting, Moi urged the government to focus on real issues—healthcare, education, and agriculture—rather than policing school plays.
KANU Chairman Gideon Moi: Security agencies are deployed to suppress a high school play while turning a blind eye to lawlessness by armed gangs occupying public spaces. The young girls of Butere are not enemies of the state but the daughters of this nation.
Let the Girls Perform
The heart of the matter isn’t just about a script or stage lighting. It’s about the message. In Gideon Moi’s words, the young girls of Butere are “not enemies of the state but daughters of this nation.” And what they deserve is a platform—not persecution.
“Rather than be punished for speaking the truth through art, they should be celebrated,” he said.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the National Drama and Film Festival is now a national conversation about artistic freedom, judicial authority, and the state of democracy in Kenya.
And with the spotlight still on Butere Girls, one thing is clear: Echoes of War has already made history—whether it’s performed or not.
