Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has hailed Butere Girls High School learners after they boycotted the performance of his play ‘Echoes of War’.
Speaking on the phone from Eldama Ravine Police station, Malala described their decision as a heroic moment for the girls.
He went on to say that it is unfair for the officials to have denied the girls their right to perform before an audience.
“It was a heroic moment for those girls because they wouldn’t have performed without the audience, decor, costume and their directors. That is unfair, and I believe officials must be held accountable for denying the students their right to perform in an artistic activity,” Malala said on Spice FM.
His words followed reports that the girls got on stage, sang the national anthem and then walked out, demanding the director of the play, who is Malala.
When given a chance to stage the play, it is alleged they were also denied a string of other basic infrastructure meant to enhance their performance, like other schools, including microphones, props and other equipment.
Malala was arrested on Wednesday night.
The former UDA secretary general encourage the girls to stay hopeful and courageous.
He insisted that they have now become part of Kenya’s history and will be remembered as part of the people who stood up for the liberation of Kenya.
“I would like to encourage them, let them gather hope and courage. This is a great moment whereby they become big players in disseminating relevant information to the public and should therefore put on a brave face and know they have been inscribed in history as people who fought for liberation of this country.”
Malala added that he sympathises with the learners of Butere Girls for what they have had to go through because of the play.
“Drama festival has been there for a very long time and we have a variety of things being exposed at the National Drama Festival and it is unfortunate for the officials to victimise young souls who are just out to expose what they think is the rot in society. I want to urge everybody who is in charge of the drama festival to sober up; this is just a play, and it has nothing to do with incitement or name-calling.”
‘Echoes of War’ explores contemporary issues like technology, governance and social justice, particularly relevant to Gen Z, and the struggle for young people on civil liberties.
It centres on a nation recovering from a civil war, with young citizens at the forefront of rebuilding efforts and critiques the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change.
Butere Girls had been banned from staging their Gen Z-themed play because its theme critiques the government.
The court, however, lifted the ban on April 3 when Justice Wilfrida Okwany suspended any letter banning or barring the school from participating in the festival.
