Tensions flared at the ongoing National Drama Festival after students from Butere Girls' High School declined to perform their controversial play, Echoes of War, at the Melvin Jones Lions Academy in Nakuru.
The decision triggered chants of 'Ruto Must Go' from a section of attendees and supporters, who were captured on video escorting the school's bus from the venue.
Notably present during the incident was lawyer Ken Echesa, who played a key role in getting the play reinstated into the festival.
Echesa also successfully obtained a High Court order allowing Cleophas Malala to direct the play, a move that culminated in his arrest.
In heated scenes that followed the students’ withdrawal, Echesa was seen confronting security officers at the school premises.
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"One day Kenyans will rise above these frustrations; you can kill me, you can kill him but cannot kill everyone in this country. Some of us can give away our lives to save the rest," the frustrated lawyer said.
Butere Girls pulled out of the performance following Malala's arrest on Wednesday, April 9.
The students who were set to perform the play on Thursday morning, April 10, demanded the presence of Malala before performing.
In a video seen by Nairobileo.co.ke, the girls could be seen running as they shouted “We want our director”.
Additionally, one of the Butere Girls students cited police harassment and a poor stage setup for their play.
“We were harassed by the police, they took us to the stage with nothing. We sang our national anthem and said we are not going to perform,” she said.
Malala was arrested at Kiboron Girls' High School as he attempted to join the Butere girls' students for final rehearsals ahead of their performance.
Speaking at the scene, Malala maintained that the High Court had granted him the right to direct the play.
“The High Court has allowed me to direct the play; they are performing tomorrow morning, and other directors are already here.
"You have to respect the court order because it gives me a mandate to train the children, so you are denying the children their right. If you want to arrest me, then say why are you arresting me because I'm implementing the court order,” he said.
