NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has finally addressed the drama—literally.
Days after public outrage erupted over the treatment of Butere Girls High School students at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, the President used a national church event in Elgeyo Marakwet to speak up, without directly naming names, about the incident that’s been trending across social media and dominating education circles.
His message? Children come first—and their protection isn’t up for debate.
While steering clear of direct references to Butere Girls or the controversial play Echoes of War, Ruto’s remarks clearly responded to the national backlash following reports that the school’s students were unfairly barred from performing their piece at the drama festival in Nakuru County.
“We must equally protect all our children from pedophiles, from drug peddlers, and from those who want to corrupt our children and teach them to hate their parents or their teachers, or their leaders, or their nation,” the President stated during the interdenominational service.
Ruto on Butere Girls Drama : I will Arrest and Jail Malala for Corrupting the Young Girls Minds to hate Me!
His tone was firm, positioning the youth as Kenya’s most valuable asset and urging school administrators, policy makers, and educators to protect learning environments from external manipulation.
He emphasized that investing in education isn’t enough—it must be accompanied by safeguarding students from exploitation and negative influences.
KHRC Enters the Chat: Legal Action on Behalf of Butere Girls
Meanwhile, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has gone a step further—straight to court.
The organization has filed a petition challenging the actions of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival Committee, demanding that the students from Butere Girls be allowed to perform their play.
According to KHRC, the students’ rights were violated in a discriminatory and unjustified manner. The commission claims that all other schools were allowed to perform freely, complete with props and décor, making the treatment of Butere Girls “absurd and malicious.” The full text of their filing is as fiery as the public’s reaction online.
KHRC argues the ban infringes on constitutional rights to freedom of expression, education, and non-discrimination.
The Government’s Defense: It Was About Regulations, Not Censorship
Enter Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba, who pushed back against the growing wave of criticism. Speaking to the press, Ogamba denied allegations that the government deliberately blocked the students’ performance.
According to the CS, the issue stemmed from a procedural violation. The school had allegedly enlisted former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala—a non-teacher—to direct the play, which contravened Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regulations. That’s the official line, though it hasn’t cooled public tempers much.
The Ministry maintains that no student was unfairly targeted and that the festival rules were applied across the board. But in the court of public opinion, the jury’s still out.
The Bigger Picture: Creativity, Inclusion, and the Future of Education
For President Ruto, the controversy served as a platform to champion a broader educational philosophy.
He emphasized the need for inclusive learning, where students aren’t boxed into academic performance alone, but are also given room to explore the arts, sports, and the creative economy.
“Every child deserves the best opportunity to be the best they can be,” he said. “We must, as a nation, make sure that all children get the best array and buffet of what they can become.”
His remarks signal a government that wants to balance structure with freedom—though whether that balance is being struck in real time remains a hot debate.
A Teachable Moment for the Nation
Ruto’s comments may mark a pivot point—but they also raise new questions about censorship, governance in education, and whether Kenya is truly ready to embrace creativity as a pillar of its future.
With court petitions filed, ministerial defenses made, and public sentiment boiling, this is one story where the final act is far from over.
