Police Block Butere Girls’ Controversial ‘Echoes of War’ School Play Rehearsals at Drama Festival.
A dramatic confrontation unfolded in Rongai, Nakuru County, ahead of the scheduled performance of a school play titled Echoes of War by Butere Girls High School. The play was set to be showcased during the 63rd edition of the Kenya National Drama Festivals, creating tension and drawing attention from law enforcement authorities.
On Wednesday evening, police surrounded a vehicle linked to Cleophas Malala, the former Kakamega Senator and the writer of the contentious play.
The intervention appeared to aim at restricting his access to Kirobon Girls High School, where final preparations for the performance were believed to be taking place.
Malala, who has a rich history in theatre and school productions, was reportedly planning to supervise the final rehearsal session ahead of the Thursday morning performance at Lions Primary School, a key venue for the ongoing festival.
Echoes of War has attracted scrutiny due to its perceived critique of government actions. The play was initially disqualified from the Western Region Drama Festivals under unclear circumstances.
However, a High Court later reversed the disqualification and ordered the play’s inclusion in the national competition lineup. This legal development prompted the recall of students who had already left for the April holidays, instructing them to return for renewed rehearsals.
Despite this directive, there was no clear confirmation on whether the scheduled rehearsals actually proceeded as planned.
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Evening Tensions and Media Dispersal
By 5 p.m., the situation had escalated as Malala reported that police had barricaded his vehicle and were threatening to detain him. The standoff extended into the night.
At around 9 p.m. on Thursday, police deployed teargas to disperse journalists stationed outside the school who had assembled to document the unfolding events.
The developments surrounding the play continued to draw national interest, highlighting the intersection of artistic expression and political tension in the country’s educational and cultural platforms.
Police Block Butere Girls’ Controversial ‘Echoes of War’ School Play Rehearsals at Drama Festival.
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