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By Winnie Kamau
Nairobi, Kenya: The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) strongly condemns the disturbing and unlawful events that unfolded on the evening of 9th April 2025 and the morning of 10th April 2025, targeting students of Butere Girls High School during their scheduled performance of the play “Echoes of War” at the Kenya National Drama Festivals in Nakuru County.
As reported, earlier on the competition had been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play.
Echoes of War is set in a fictional kingdom where the youth have lost faith in their leaders.
It features battles with the police and has drawn parallels with last year’s protests by young people against tax rises.
It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling overturned the decision and ordered it to be included.
Tensions were high in Nakuru on Thursday morning when the student performers stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play’s author, Cleophas Malala, who had been detained by police.
The scriptwriter and former senator who had penned the production for students from Butere Girls High School, was blocked by police from meeting the young performers for final rehearsals on Wednesday evening.
Malala was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play.
“The young girls of Butere Girls’ have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I’m determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience,” Malala said immediately after his release.
FIDA-Kenya notes that the court has affirmed the students ‘ right to perform the play, yet the police officers continue to frustrate and intimidate these young talents. Reports from top media houses confirm that the students were barred from rehearsing the play yesterday.
This morning, the students were made to begin the play much earlier than the official starting time. Once in the performance hall, they were surprised to find no public address system, audience, or costumes for the performance, as should be the norm.
The students refused to perform under the circumstances and peacefully walked out of the arena. Once outside, police officers lobbed teargas at the students who were now being interviewed by journalists. The chaos that followed saw the girls flee in panic, some becoming separated from their teachers and school bus.
These unfortunate actions against the students of Butere Girls violate the following constitutional provisions on the freedoms and rights of the children: Article 28, Article 33(1)(b), Article 36, Article 37, and Article 53.
FIDA-Kenya calls on the National Police Service (NPS) and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the wrongful actions and misuse of power by the police officers who interfered with the performance and endangered the lives of children.
The NPS must then take disciplinary actions against police officers who will be found responsible for these acts. IPOA should also publish a report on the outcome of the investigation since it involves children.
We also ask the Ministry of Education to ensure that Butere Girls perform the play based on the instructions set in the court order and that such violations will not recur in future events. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration must also urgently assure Kenyans that children’s rights are protected as per the constitution and that they will not tolerate any violations of these rights.
FIDA-Kenya said they stand in solidarity with the students of Butere Girls High School. Their courage in the face of intimidation shows the resilience and power of young women. We remain committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls and ensuring that no child in Kenya is ever subjected to such unlawful and traumatic experiences.
