Governor Mutai Pressures Butere Girls’ Principal to Take Responsibility for Echoes of War Amid Transfer Allegations.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, who also chairs the Education docket in the Council of Governors, has called on Butere Girls’ High School Principal, Jennifer Omondi, to take full responsibility for the staging of the controversial play Echoes of War.
He emphasized that individuals entrusted with leadership roles must face consequences if they fail to exercise due diligence. According to him, anyone in charge of an institution should review and understand any content presented under their leadership, and when in doubt, they must consult relevant departmental heads.
The controversy centers on Echoes of War, a play that caused a standoff at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru. Students from Butere Girls’ were prevented by police from performing the piece. The scene escalated into teargas use, protests, and chants of “Ruto Must Go.” The event drew national attention and ignited debate about the role of politics in education.
Governor Mutai criticized the use of school children to push political narratives, pointing specifically to former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who authored the play. He expressed dismay that students under government-funded teachers and management would be influenced to protest against the President.
“It disturbs me when people come together to oppose the transfer of the Butere Girls Principal. People must take responsibility for their actions. If you have been entrusted with the leadership of an institution, you should have familiarised yourself with the play beforehand. If anything is unclear, seek clarification from the head of the department. Every action has consequences,” the governor said.
Amid this backlash, rumors circulated that Principal Omondi had been transferred to Wajir Day Secondary School. These claims suggested that the move was in response to the uproar over the play. However, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) firmly denied these reports.
Kakamega County TSC Director Wilson Koros clarified that there had been no official communication regarding any transfer, and Omondi continued to serve in her role at Butere Girls.
Read Also: TSC Delays 179,000 Teacher Promotions as Budget Falls Short.
“There is no official communication regarding any transfer of the Butere Girls principal. I have also seen the reports online, but they are not true,” Kakamega County TSC Director Wilson Koros told The Standard on April 11.
Despite the TSC’s position, Governor Mutai insisted that those shielding the principal from accountability were misguided. Speaking at the funeral of former minister John Koech, he stated that resistance to her transfer was troubling and highlighted a lack of ownership over responsibilities within school leadership.
Governor Mutai also lamented the silence of the school’s administration in the days following the incident, suggesting it reflected poorly on their sense of accountability. According to him, leadership comes with the obligation to act responsibly, especially in national institutions.
Governor Mutai Pressures Butere Girls’ Principal to Take Responsibility for Echoes of War Amid Transfer Allegations
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