Butere Girls Drama, Malala Controversy and the Echoes of War Play

Butere Girls Drama’s performance on Thursday was meant to showcase the talents of the students. However, the event turned sour when the students were denied a public address system, and the drama play they had been preparing for weeks was abruptly canceled.

Instead of performing Echoes of War, the students sang the national anthem and left the stage in frustration.

Their hopes of competing and sharing their skills were dashed that morning with a series of setbacks that only added to the drama surrounding the performance.

The entire situation has sparked controversy, especially considering the significance of the play’s theme.

What Happened to Butere Girls Drama?

On Thursday morning, Butere Girls Drama students were eager to perform Echoes of War, a play about Kenya’s governance and the protests led by Generation Z in 2024. However, their performance was halted when they were denied access to the public address system, a crucial part of their performance.

This system had been used during previous National Drama Festivals, but for reasons unknown, it was unavailable for their act.

Frustrated and disillusioned, the students had no choice but to break down their performance. They sang the national anthem and left the stage.

Their decision to walk off, with no audience in sight, raised suspicions. The students claimed that they had not seen their directors in weeks and had not practiced for the play in three weeks.

Controversy Surrounding Echoes of War

The Echoes of War play had already attracted attention before this incident. The play focuses on the political and social issues in Kenya, making it a powerful commentary on the state of the nation.

Initially disqualified at the Western Region Drama Festivals under unclear circumstances, the play later returned to the national lineup after a ruling by the High Court.

The court’s decision allowed Echoes of War to be performed at the festival, but that did not mark the end of the drama.

The play found itself embroiled in even more controversy just days before the national performance. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and former senator, was barred from accessing the festival venue at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru.

Malala claimed that police had blocked his car and were threatening to arrest him. By the evening, tensions escalated further as police used tear gas to disperse journalists covering the standoff outside the school.

Meanwhile, the festival organizers imposed strict measures. Journalists, media personnel, and the public were blocked from entering the venue.

The KICD crew, responsible for live streaming the event, was also told to pack up their equipment. There was no filming, photography, or live coverage allowed, leaving the event shrouded in secrecy.

Wilson Sossion’s Views on Malala’s Involvement

As the Echoes of War drama unfolded, the controversy surrounding Cleophas Malala deepened.

Wilson Sossion, the former Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), criticized Malala’s involvement in directing the play. Sossion argued that Malala’s role as a director and scriptwriter violated the Teachers’ Service Commission Act.

According to the law, only registered teachers are allowed to direct school-based drama performances as part of the official curriculum.

During a live interview on April 10, 2025, Sossion stated that Malala was overstepping his bounds by participating in the festival.

He emphasized that the law clearly states that only certified teachers can supervise, train, and direct students for school plays.

“If Malala is not a registered teacher, even if he has written scripts, he cannot direct plays at the drama festival,” Sossion said.

Sossion went on to express concern that the situation was being politicized, with people ignoring the legal issues involved.

He urged the country to focus on enforcing the law rather than allowing political bias to influence the matter.

In conclusion, the drama surrounding the Echoes of War play has raised questions about the intersection of art, politics, and the law in Kenya.

The controversies surrounding Butere Girls’ performance, Malala’s involvement, and the restrictions imposed at the festival highlight a complex situation that continues to stir debate.