Butere Girls’ ‘Echoes of War’ Triggers Freedom of Expression Crisis

By Our Special Reporter

The play ‘Echoes of War’ set for performance by Butere Girls High School on April 10, 2025 before being blocked by government has sparked a national dialogue on freedom of expression in Kenya.

The play was to be presented at the annual Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival happening in Nakuru County.

The participants canceled the performance, claiming they wanted the presence of their director Cleophas Malala, who was arrested the day before the play was set to be performed.

He was then transferred to Eldama Ravine police station in Baringo County.

Eugene Wamalwa, leader of the Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K), has emphasized the discrimination faced by the students, claiming that higher authorities ordered the play's cancellation.

“It is disheartening to see Butere Girls being denied their rights,” he stated.

“As lawyers, we fought in court and confirmed that these students, like all others, deserve the opportunity to showcase their talents.” Wamalwa insists that freedom of expression is a fundamental right for every citizen, including the young girls of Butere.

He pointed out that despite court orders allowing the performance, their rights were still violated.

“If Echoes of War were to win at the festival, it would be performed at State House,” he noted, highlighting that the play addresses critical issues like education and healthcare that are currently failing in the country.

“It seems top leaders want to silence these discussions.” He has warned that blocking the performance could constitute contempt of court, vowing to return to court to ensure the students receive the rights they deserve.

Wamalwa lamented the public's exclusion from the event, stating, “We are witnessing a return to dictatorship.”

He drew parallels between the situation at Butere Girls and the struggles faced by students during South Africa's apartheid, referencing the film ‘Sarafina’, where students faced harassment.

Cleophas Malala’s son, Leon, expressed his frustration over his father's arrest, stating, “My father was detained simply for writing a play that voices the challenges faced by Gen Z and the youth of Kenya.

Where has our freedom of expression gone?” After his release, Malala expressed gratitude to the community of Eldama Ravine for their support.

He articulated the play's significance, saying, “Echoes of War highlights the struggles of our generation—unemployment, corruption, a dysfunctional healthcare system, and the high cost of living.”

He lamented, “It is unfortunate that the girls are being barred from performing.”

Malala celebrated the students as heroes of patriotism, vowing that ‘Echoes of War’ will be performed, whether by the students or other Kenyans. “We must ensure the safety of Butere Girls students.

Those officers who used excessive force should remember that these children are innocent and deserve respect as fellow Kenyans.”

In 2013, Butere Girls faced a similar situation with their play 'Shackles of Doom' also written by Cleophas Malala. 'Shackles of Doom,' addressed themes of ethnic inequality and resource allocation.

The Ministry of Education initially banned the play, citing potential risks to national cohesion.

However, the play went on to be staged during that year's drama festivals following court intervention.

Earlier on, KANU Chairman Gideon Moi strongly condemned the attempted arrest of former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, terming it a blatant act of state repression and a threat to artistic freedom.

Malala was reportedly targeted by security officers in Rongai, Nakuru County, ahead of Butere Girls High School’s performance of Echoes of War at the 2025 National Drama and Film Festival.

The play, authored by Malala, is a bold satire highlighting the collapse of social services, patronage politics, and broken promises.

It had earlier been banned from progressing to the national level before a court ruling overturned the decision.

Moi likened the move to the 2013 censorship of Shackles of Doom, another play written by Malala and performed by the same school.

"This incident is not isolated but a growing pattern of silencing dissent through extrajudicial means," Moi said, referencing other recent cases of political intimidation.

He criticized the government for allegedly turning a blind eye to violence by groups aligned to the state, while cracking down on peaceful expression.

Moi urged the government to realign its focus on development in key sectors like healthcare, education, and manufacturing, saying this would better address public frustrations and economic hardship.

“The young girls of Butere are not enemies of the state but the daughters of this nation,” he emphasized.

“Rather than be punished for speaking the truth through art, they should be celebrated.”