A recent High Court ruling has exposed contradictions in Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s justification for barring Butere Girls High School from performing their play, Echoes of War, at the national drama festival. The CS had claimed the script was altered to include political undertones not present at the sub-county level, prompting the decision to block the performance.
"The play’s content was changed along the way, which is why it was stopped at the national level. The court later allowed the original script to be performed, not the altered version," Ogamba stated.
However, court documents from the Kisii High Court, presided over by Judge Wilfrida Okwany, revealed no evidence of script alterations. The April 8 ruling stated, "The Principal, acting on verbal instructions from an undisclosed source, blocked the students from performing, alleging political undertones that the play does not contain."
The case was brought by the school’s alumni, who accused the principal of preventing rehearsals and performances under pressure from higher authorities. Judge Okwany criticized the decision to exclude Butere Girls, a top contender, in favor of a school ranked ninth overall, calling the explanation "neither convincing nor supported by festival rules."
The court praised Echoes of War, written and directed by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, for its relevant themes of governance and youth empowerment, credible actors, and outstanding creativity.
Ogamba, however, maintained that script changes introduced narratives unsuitable for students, justifying the ban. Tensions flared when students refused to perform, citing restricted access to their director. The situation worsened at the festival venue, where heavy police presence led to chaos, tear gas deployment, and injuries to journalists and attendees.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, with critics accusing the government of stifling artistic expression and creative freedom in schools.
