The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has condemned the hostility against the cast of the ‘Echoes of War’ play from Butere Girls High School and other attendees at the ongoing National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
In a statement to newsrooms, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna faulted the government for the students’ harassment, adding that it poses a threat to freedom of expression under Kenyan law.
“The country has watched with disbelief, the unfolding drama at the National Drama festival in Nakuru where the government has seemingly run scared of a play by Butere Girls, titled ‘Echoes of War’,” read the statement in part.
“Of all the evidence we already have of the lack of focus of this regime, it has shot itself in the foot by harassing and attempting to dim the voices of young girls in school uniform.”
The party demanded that the students should be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors, noting that it raises dire questions when a State is scared of children’s art.
“The freedom of expression guaranteed by our constitution allows people of all ages to express themselves freely even if we do not particularly like what they have to say,” the statement added.
ODM likened the incident to the popular South African musical drama film, Sarafina, which showcased how school-going children protested against the apartheid government in 1976, leading to the death of many students.
“The biggest lesson from it was that even the voices of school children matter, and indeed, because of their innocence and purity, are more crucial in the ultimate national conversation,” the party added.
Police officers resorted to firing tear gas canisters at students from Wednesday night at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru.
“The officers should stop using excessive force on our students. They are patriotic and have done no wrong,” said former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, the writer of the play.
On Thursday, journalists and the public audience were blocked from accessing Kirobon Girls, where the National Drama Festival was being held.
Consequently, the girls declined to perform the play.
Malala has also claimed that 15 students were missing from a cast of 38 girls.
