A school play titled “Echoes of War” by Butere Girls High School in Kakamega County has sparked a dramatic standoff in Rongai, Nakuru County, on the eve of its scheduled performance at the Kenya National Drama Festivals.
Police on Wednesday evening surrounded a vehicle belonging to Cleophas Malala — the play’s writer and former Kakamega Senator — in an apparent attempt to prevent him from accessing Kirobon Girls High School.
Malala had reportedly intended to oversee final rehearsals for the play, which is scheduled to be performed Thursday morning at Lions Primary School, one of the venues for the ongoing 63rd edition of the Kenya National Drama Festivals.
Malala, who is also the ousted UDA Secretary General, has a background in theatre and school drama. However, Echoes of War has courted controversy due to its alleged criticism of the government.
The play was disqualified during the Western Region Drama Festivals under unclear circumstances. A subsequent High Court ruling overturned that decision, reinstating the play and ordering its inclusion in the national lineup.
Following the court order, students who had already left for the April holidays were recalled to resume rehearsals. However, it remains unclear whether those rehearsals took place today as planned.
As of 5 p.m., Malala claimed that police had barricaded his vehicle and were threatening to arrest him.
At 9 pm Thursday, police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse journalists who had camped outside the school to cover the standoff.
More to follow…
