Malala Released, Says 15 Butere Girls Students Missing.
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has called for the release of the students involved in the play Echoes of War by Butere Girls High School. Malala revealed that 15 of the students were unaccounted for and demanded that the authorities ensure their safe return.
On Thursday morning, Malala spoke outside Eldama Ravine Police Station, expressing concern over the missing students. He mentioned that the play’s cast included 38 girls, and information had surfaced suggesting that 15 of them were missing. Malala emphasized that the police should act swiftly and locate the students, stressing the need for the authorities to provide clarity on their whereabouts.
Malala also shared that he was detained at around midnight on Wednesday and taken to the police station. He strongly condemned the actions of police officers who resorted to using tear gas on students at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru the previous night. He criticized the excessive use of force, stating that the students, being patriotic, had done nothing wrong.
“Our cast comprises 38 girls. We have received information that 15 girls are missing. We want to know where our girls are. Police should produce the girls,” he told reporters after his release.
On Thursday, the public, including journalists, was blocked from accessing Kirobon Girls High School, the venue of the ongoing National Drama Festival, amid the unfolding situation.
Release of Cleophas Malala After 10-Hour Detention
Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala was freed after being held for more than 10 hours across two police stations, Nakuru Central and Eldama Ravine Police Stations. He was detained following an arrest late on Wednesday at 11 PM and was released shortly after 11 AM on Thursday.
Malala’s arrest occurred outside Kirobon Girls Secondary School, where Butere Girls High School students were rehearsing for the play Echoes of War. He was detained by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Despite his lengthy detention, no charges were filed against him. His cousin, Harry Isiche, confirmed that Malala was released without facing any charges.
After the arrest, Malala was briefly questioned at Nakuru Central Police Station, although the reasons for the interrogation remain unclear. Isiche later stated that Malala would address the media shortly but emphasized that the main point was his release.
While detained, Malala spoke out against the government, particularly criticizing President William Ruto for what he saw as efforts to curtail constitutional freedoms. Malala is the scriptwriter of Echoes of War, a controversial play that gained attention after Butere Girls High School students were reportedly blocked from performing it at the 63rd National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
Read Also: Inside Malala’s Echoes of War: The Butere Girls’ Controversial Performance
The controversy escalated on Thursday morning when Butere Girls students walked out of the festival. They cited the heavy police presence at the venue, which had blocked both the public and press from entering Melvin Johns Hall Academy in Nakuru to watch the performance.
Tensions heightened when police used tear gas to disperse students who had attempted to speak with the press after leaving the event.
Malala further claimed that 15 students from Butere Girls, who were scheduled to perform, were unaccounted for after the event. This added to the growing concerns over the handling of the festival and the heightened police presence at the venue.
Malala Released, Says 15 Butere Girls Students Missing.
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