Court Disputes Ogamba’s Claims of Script Tampering in Butere Girls’ Play ‘Echoes of War’.
High Court documents have cast doubt on Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s claims regarding changes to the Echoes of War script. While defending the decision to block Butere Girls High School from participating in the national drama festival, Ogamba maintained that the play had been altered to incorporate political undertones that were not present during the sub-county level performance.
He argued that these modifications led to the play being barred at the national stage and asserted that the court only permitted the school to stage the original version of the script.
However, a ruling delivered on April 8 by Judge Wilfrida Okwany at the High Court in Kisii stated otherwise. The judge found no evidence of alterations to the script, contrary to the CS’s assertion.
The court documents indicated that the school’s principal, referred to as the Respondent, had acted on verbal instructions from an unnamed authority to stop the students from performing, citing unfounded political undertones in the play. The ruling emphasized that such claims lacked merit and that the script remained intact from its earlier stages.
“That the Principal, Respondent herein, acting on verbal instructions from an undisclosed source, has refused to allow students to perform at the national level festival, claiming that the play has political undertones, which it does not,” the ruling delivered on April 8 revealed.
The legal challenge was initiated by former students of Butere Girls, who accused the principal of denying students the chance to rehearse and perform, following directives from undisclosed sources. Judge Okwany criticized the reasoning behind replacing Butere Girls with another school that had ranked ninth overall, describing the justification provided by the Interested Parties’ representative as unconvincing and inconsistent with the festival’s governing regulations.
Play’s Relevance and Artistic Merit Recognized
The court acknowledged the artistic strength of the play, praising its strong cast, creative presentation, and its resonance with contemporary global issues. Written and directed by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Echoes of War addresses themes centered on governance and youth empowerment, making it both timely and relevant for modern audiences.
“I therefore find that the explanation given by the Interested Parties’ deponent, for excluding Butere Girls’ from participating in the National Festival and substituting it with a school that ranked in the 9th overall position is neither convincing nor supported by the rules governing the said Festival,” the ruling continued.
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The situation intensified when the students, frustrated by restricted access to their director, refused to perform. This led to a significant police presence at the venue, which triggered disorder, the use of tear gas, and physical confrontations. Several individuals, including journalists, sustained injuries while attempting to enter the premises. The event drew public criticism, with many interpreting the government’s actions as an effort to stifle artistic freedom and expression.
Despite the court’s findings, CS Ogamba stood by his position, insisting that changes to the script introduced inappropriate narratives for school performances. His stance remains a point of contention as the broader conversation on censorship and creative liberty continues to unfold across the country.
Court Disputes Ogamba’s Claims of Script Tampering in Butere Girls’ Play ‘Echoes of War’.
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