Butere Girls Decline to Perform Controversial Play Amidst Intimidation, Protests Erupt

On April 10, students from Butere Girls High School chose not to perform their play 'Echoes of War' at the National Drama and Film Festivals due to a lack of support and resources. The girls, visibly emotional, sang the national anthem instead, citing intimidation and being denied access to necessary equipment like a public address system. Their decision followed a history of controversy surrounding the play, which deals with Kenya's governance and the Gen Z-led protests of 2024, and had faced disqualification before being reinstated by a High Court ruling. Compounding the situation, their director, Cleophas Malala, was barred from the venue, leading to further claims of harassment. Additionally, the media and public were blocked from accessing the event, raising concerns about censorship and transparency. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and highlighted the ongoing tensions between the students and authorities over freedom of expression in the arts.