Butere Girls pulled out of drama Fest over Director Dispute, Not Government Ban: Education CS Ogamba clarifies
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has dismissed reports that the government barred Butere Girls High School from performing their play, Echoes of War, at the ongoing National Drama Festival hosted at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru.
The play, which explores themes of resistance by Gen Z against government oppression, sparked a heated public debate over alleged censorship and political interference in student artistic expression.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, CS Ogamba clarified that the students had been given an opportunity to perform, but they declined, citing the absence of their director, Mr. Malala.
“The government did not stop Butere Girls from performing. Are you aware that the students were allowed to perform at 8am? When they came to the stage after the National Anthem, one of them said they are not willing to perform without their director, Mr Malala,” Ogamba stated.
The CS further noted that the involvement of non-teaching staff in co-curricular activities contravenes the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regulations and the rules of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.
“We cannot allow people to weaponize school children against authority. Let political wars be fought by politicians outside learning environments,” he added.
Ogamba shed light on the origins of the controversy, revealing that adjudicators at the sub-county level had flagged offensive messages in the play’s script and advised edits. The edited script passed county-level review and proceeded to the regional stage. However, it was later discovered that the script had been substantially altered again this time reinstating contentious themes.
According to the Ministry, the school’s board of management opted to withdraw the play from the competition, citing that the revised version had violated the policy of minimal script changes.
“The school, therefore, felt that the script had been significantly altered and could not be presented at the National level,” said Ogamba. “It was, therefore, withdrawn and not presented to the Executive Secretary by the Regional Secretary during the meeting held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development on March 28, 2025.”
Following a court order mandating that the play be presented, the students were recalled from their April holiday. However, on the day of the performance April 9 security officers barred Mr. Malala from accessing the premises, citing that he was neither a teacher nor an officially recognized director.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that Mr Malala shouldn’t have been allowed to direct the play, a role that should have been left to the teachers as per rules and regulations,” the CS reiterated
Ogamba emphasized that while the Ministry remains committed to nurturing student talent, school principals must adhere strictly to established guidelines.
“The Ministry of Education is fully committed to promoting talents among our learners through all forms of co-curricular activities. However, school principals are advised to stick to the rules and regulations governing these activities,” he concluded.