Former Kakamega Senator and playwright of Echoes of War, Cleophas Malala, has vowed to take legal action after Butere Girls’ High School failed to perform the play at the ongoing National Drama Festival.
Speaking on Thursday, April 10, Malala accused officials of violating the rights of the students and pledged to seek justice through the courts.
"The officials have definitely infringed the rights of those young girls and we are going back to court to ensure that before the National Drama Festival ends, Butere Girls' High School gets a chance to perform.
"Whatever action is taken, I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before our Kenyan audience," he said.
Additionally, Malala expressed his support for the students who refused to perform due to his absence and alleged lack of props.
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"I'm standing in solidarity with the decision of Butere Girls' students who said that they would not perform unless their director is there and all their props, and stage property are with them. They should be celebrated and their names inscribed in the history of this country," he added.
This came moments after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba refuted claims that the government barred Butere Girls' High School from performing the play.
Speaking while addressing the press, Ogamba clarified that the students were given the opportunity to perform but declined on their own accord.
He said the students’ refusal to perform was not prompted by any government interference but their own decision.
"You are very aware that the students were allowed to perform. But when they came to the stage and after the national anthem, one of them stepped forward and said they are not willing to perform without their director, Cleophas Malala; who is not a teacher or a director at Butere Girls' High School. So, the students, at their own volition, decided not to participate," he stated.
