Murkomen’s U-turn on Butere Girls’ Play controversy Sparks Debate.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has shifted his position on the issue of school play censorship. His recent comments regarding the Butere Girls’ High School drama controversy contradict his stance from over a decade ago.
The 2013 Controversy
Back in 2013, Murkomen was a vocal critic of the ban imposed on Shackles of Doom, a play directed by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala at Butere Girls. At the time, Murkomen, who had just been elected as the senator for Elgeyo-Marakwet, expressed his displeasure with the censorship.
He openly wished that the play had been performed at State House Mombasa, suggesting that the controversy surrounding the play was actually beneficial for its publicity. Murkomen posted on his X account, emphasizing that Butere Girls had gained tremendous exposure and should be allowed to benefit from it.
2025: A Drastic Change
In stark contrast, Murkomen’s views in 2025 regarding another Butere Girls play, Echoes of War, have sparked a fresh debate. The play, also directed by Malala, has caused national uproar after students faced significant challenges ahead of their scheduled performance at the ongoing Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Music Festival in Nakuru. They were reportedly denied essential support, including a proper stage setup, and faced harassment by police officers.
Speaking to the media on April 10, 2025, Murkomen defended the government’s actions, justifying the intervention as necessary to protect children from being exploited for political gain. He stressed the government’s role in safeguarding the well-being of children, asserting that the education system should not be manipulated by political forces.
Murkomen elaborated, stating that although students should be allowed diverse forms of education, the government and parents have a responsibility to ensure that children are not dragged into politics. He further remarked that the involvement of politicians in directing school drama productions was inappropriate, especially when it appeared to be a tactic to settle political scores. Murkomen’s comments seemed aimed at Malala, who had recently clashed with the government following his removal as UDA Secretary-General.
Call for Teachers’ Authority
The CS also urged politicians to refrain from influencing the content of school programs, arguing that teachers are better equipped to make decisions regarding what is appropriate for students. Murkomen emphasized that educators are well-positioned to provide guidance on morals and the correct manner of expressing criticism.
The Butere Girls’ Protest
On April 10, 2025, the students of Butere Girls’ High School staged a walkout during their performance at Melvin Jones International School in Nakuru. They explained that their decision was not made impulsively but was rather a response to ongoing mistreatment. The students described how they were denied basic resources, such as sound equipment and proper stage decorations, and shared their experience of being harassed by police.
One of the students recounted that the students were forced to perform without essential equipment, which led them to sing the National Anthem and leave the stage in protest. As tensions escalated, the students demanded the presence of their director, Cleophas Malala, chanting for him and declaring that they would not return to Butere without him. The situation turned chaotic when police officers deployed teargas to disperse the protesting students, further intensifying the public outcry and raising questions about the government’s handling of the situation.
Conclusion
The unfolding drama at Butere Girls’ High School has led to contrasting opinions on the role of politics in education. While Murkomen once defended the artistic expression of students, his current position highlights the delicate balance between safeguarding education and protecting children from political manipulation. The situation continues to fuel debate on the appropriate role of politicians in influencing school activities and the boundaries that should be maintained for the welfare of students.
Murkomen’s U-turn on Butere Girls’ Play controversy Sparks Debate.
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