Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has denied allegations that the government barred Butere Girls High School from performing their controversial play, Echoes of War, at the National Drama Festival held at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru.
The play, which explores themes of Gen Z’s resistance against governmental oppression, has sparked national conversation due to its bold subject matter.
In a statement released Thursday evening, CS Ogamba clarified that the students had been granted an opportunity to perform but chose not to.
“The government did not stop Butere Girls from performing. Are you aware that the students were allowed to perform at 8am? When they came to the stage after the National Anthem, one of them said they are not willing to perform without their director, Mr Malala,” he explained.
He further criticized the school's administration for breaching Teachers Service Commission (TSC) guidelines by inviting Cleophas Malala, the former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General and a non-teacher, to direct the production.
“The ministry wishes to inform principals who invite non-teachers to their schools to train learners in co-curricula activities that they are in contravention of the TSC regulations as well as the rules and regulations for the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival,” he added.
CS Ogamba emphasized the importance of protecting learning institutions from political agendas:
“We cannot allow people to weaponise school children against authority. Let political wars be fought by politicians outside learning environments.”
Explaining the controversy’s origin, the CS noted that adjudicators at the sub-county level had recommended the removal of certain “offensive messages” from the script. While the play passed the county level with revisions, Ogamba claimed that it was later “significantly altered to include more offensive themes” before the national festival.
Due to the major script changes, the school's board of management opted to withdraw the play, citing regulations that only allow minimal adjustments.
“The school, therefore, felt that the script had been significantly altered and could not be presented at the National level. It was, therefore, withdrawn and not presented to the Executive Secretary by the Regional Secretary during the Regional Secretaries meeting held at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development on March 28, 2025,” he stated.
He clarified that according to festival procedures, any play not presented to the Executive Secretary is not scheduled for national performance.
Although the students were initially sent home for the April holidays, they were later recalled following a court order instructing the school to stage the play at the national level. However, on April 9, security officers blocked Mr. Malala from entering the premises.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that Mr Malala shouldn’t have been allowed to direct the play, a role that should have been left to the teachers as per rules and regulations,” Ogamba emphasized.
He concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to nurturing student talent:
“The Ministry of Education is fully committed to promoting talents among our learners through all forms of co-curricula activities available in our school system. However, school principals are advised to stick to the rules and regulations governing co-curricula activities.”
