Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has been released from police custody at Eldama Ravine Police Station.
No charges have been preferred.
Malala was arrested on Wednesday at Kirobon School, Nakuru, where he had gone for rehearsals with the Butere Girls drama club.
He said he arrived at Kirobon on Wednesday at 5:30 pm for rehearsals ahead of their performance only to find heavy security at the main gate blocking his vehicle.
Addressing the media following his release, Malala hailed the Butere Girls High School learners after they boycotted the performance of his play ‘Echoes of War’.
“I am saying that those girls are the heroines of this nation. They should be celebrated, and their names should be inscribed with the history of this country,” he said.
Earlier on, while speaking on the phone from Eldama Ravine Police station, Malala said 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.
This led to the boycotting of the performance.
Malala has encouraged the girls to stay hopeful and courageous.
‘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.
