Government: Schools Should Not Be Sites for Political Experimentation

The Government has responded to the controversial play ‘Echoes of War’ by Butere Girls written and directed by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.

The play, which was set to be performed at the annual Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru County on April 10, 2025 has recently sparked nationwide debate over its content and the broader issue of censorship in schools.

The drama ensued after the arrest of Cleophas Malala. Several leaders including Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP K) leader Eugene Wamalwa alleged censorship from higher authorities who orchestrated the play's cancellation.

The Government says that Kenyan Schools are not areas for political experimentations. Similarly, it says that children should not be used as instruments in political ideological contests.

The Government of Kenya says it is committed to nurturing artistic talent and encouraging youth participation in creative expression as outlined in the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy pillar of the  Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) plan.

The Government’s statement comes amid drama involving Butere Girls High School, who failed to perform during the National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru.

Through a statement by the Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, it has however emphasized that such creatives in school environments must be done within the parameters of defined rules and regulations.

“The rules governing the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival unambiguously states that all performances must adhere to adjudicated scripts and all training of students must be conducted strictly by registered teachers or accredited instructors affiliated with recognized education institutions,” Mwaura said.

Moreover, the Government says that the introduction of unapproved individuals including those outside the teaching profession into school based co-curricular activities constitutes a violation of both ministry regulations and the Teachers Service Commission Code of Conduct.

“With regard to the Butere Girls High School play, Echoes of War, the Government is fully seized of the matter and considers it serious enough to warrant a comprehensive review of the circumstances that led to the disruption,” the statement added.

The Government says it has not taken any disciplinary action against the school’s management as the matter is still under active investigation and appropriate action will follow based on the findings upon conclusion of internal disciplinary hearings.