Journalists and the public audience were blocked from accessing the venue of the national drama festivals as Butere Girls’ High School students arrived at Lions primary on Thursday April 10, 2025 to perform their controversial play ‘echoes of war.’
Anti-riot police were heavily deployed at the entrance to bar media and the entire audience from accessing the venue.
This came after there was an altercation between the police and former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, after he was blocked from accessing Butere Girls secondary school, at Kirobon Girls Secondary School in Rongai, Nakuru County.
Butere Girls students are set to perform their play ‘Echoes of War’ which elicits controversy with the government of Kenya.
‘Echoes of War’ play has been a centre of attention as its theme is on Kenya’s governance, and the Gen Z led protests witnessed in 2024.
The play had been banned by the state but the High Court ruled that the students and Malala, who is the scriptwriter, should be allowed to attend the event in Nakuru.
On Wednesday night, the police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse journalists who had camped outside the school to cover the standoff.
Shortly after the incident, the national police service released a statement, expressing its readiness to work closely with the media while conducting their duty.
The National Police Service made it clear that any form of unprofessional conduct, interference or obstruction directed at the members of press shall not be accepted and the culprits will face thorough consequences.
Written by Rodah Mbatiany, TV47
