NAIROBI, Kenya — The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has endorsed new regulations governing school drama performances, warning against the growing use of learners in politically driven narratives during national festivals.
In a statement, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the revised 2026 Kenya National Drama and Film Festival guidelines are a necessary step to safeguard students from manipulation by political actors.
The union said concerns had been raised by its members over the alleged misuse of children to advance political agendas, describing the trend as harmful to learners’ welfare and development.
“As a responsible trade union movement, we have taken note that a majority of our members have raised issues around the use and misuse of their children by some political actors who seek to achieve political scores through these innocent children,” the statement read.
COTU emphasised that while creative arts remain essential in nurturing talent, critical thinking and self-expression among students, such platforms must not be turned into tools for political propaganda.
The union supported the government’s move to introduce clear guidelines restricting political messaging, propaganda and the ridicule of public institutions in school performances, terming the measures “timely and necessary.”
“We are firmly opposed to the growing trend where learners are drawn into politically charged narratives… exposing them to manipulation and exploitation,” Atwoli said.
According to COTU, the increasing politicisation of school drama risks turning learning institutions into arenas of political contestation, undermining their primary mandate of education and potentially affecting students’ psychological well-being and academic progression.
The statement further warned against attempts to transform students into political activists under the guise of artistic expression, describing such practices as inappropriate and unacceptable.
COTU called on key stakeholders—including teachers, parents, school administrators and festival organisers—to fully support and implement the revised guidelines to protect learners and preserve the integrity of school-based creative platforms.
The debate over the regulation of school drama comes amid broader discussions on freedom of expression, children’s rights and the role of education spaces in public discourse.
Kenya’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but also provides safeguards to protect children from exploitation and harmful influences.
As the festival season approaches, attention will be on how effectively the rules are enforced and whether they strike the right balance between safeguarding learners and preserving creative expression in schools.
