Police Teargas of Butere Girls at School Drama Festival Sparks Political Uproar
The government has come under sharp criticism following an incident involving the Butere Girls High School students, who were allegedly teargassed in Nakuru County.
The learners were scheduled to perform the play Echoes of War at the National Drama Festival, but the event took an unexpected turn when police officers intervened, prompting the students to withdraw from the performance.
The students, showing collective resolve, declined to stage their play following the police disruption. Their act of defiance was praised as a bold move, which was seen as a significant moment highlighting the state of freedom of expression in the country. Their refusal to proceed with the performance was described as a powerful national wake-up call.
The incident led to calls for immediate intervention by the Ministries of Interior and Education to prevent further police interference in the national drama festivals. The handling of the situation raised concerns over the space for artistic and civic expression in Kenya’s public institutions, especially among the youth.
Further condemnation arose after police allegedly arrested former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala. The arrest was perceived as a reaction to his involvement in the play and his attempt to visit the students during rehearsals. It was argued that Malala was exercising his constitutional right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 33 of the Constitution.
The protest that followed the incident escalated when police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, which included the students. Footage from the scene showed the learners fleeing and scrambling back into their bus for safety. The commotion painted a grim picture of how the situation was handled, intensifying public outcry over the police’s use of force against minors.
Read Also: Butere Girls Withdraw from “Echoes of War” Performance Amid Festival Tensions
Performance Halted Amid Demands for Malala’s Release
Arriving at Lions Melvin Jones Academy in Nakuru, the Butere Girls students had been prepared to perform the play reportedly authored by Malala. However, they demanded his release before taking the stage, leading to the cancellation of their appearance. Malala was said to have been apprehended on Wednesday night while attempting to meet the learners ahead of their scheduled presentation.
Police Teargas of Butere Girls at School Drama Festival Sparks Political Uproar.
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