A dramatic standoff has rocked the ongoing Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru after students from Butere Girls High School boycotted their highly anticipated stage performance, citing the absence of their director, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, and alleged systemic harassment.

The girls, who were set to perform their play titled “Echoes of War,” caused a stir on Thursday when they stormed out of the venue at Kirobon Girls High School. The students, adorned in their drama costumes, were captured running outside the venue in protest, chanting, “We want our director, Malala!”

The scene quickly escalated into chaos, with teachers and onlookers trying to make sense of the unfolding situation. A woman was heard inquiring what was happening and urging the girls to stay together for their safety.

“We have rights and we want our director,” one student asserted, visibly emotional. Another girl claimed they were harassed by police officers, prompting further concern from members of the public who witnessed the drama.

The students also decried what they termed as discriminatory treatment by the festival organizers. According to multiple sources, Butere Girls was denied access to basic infrastructure required for a fair and competitive performance. This includes a public address system, microphones, stage props, and lighting equipment.

It is alleged that other schools participating in the same national event were granted full access to such essentials, raising serious questions about impartiality and the enforcement of performance standards.

Despite a court order lifting an earlier ban on the play, the school’s participation appears to have been frustrated through what some have called “administrative sabotage.”

Justice Wilfrida Okwany, in a ruling issued on April 3, had suspended a letter banning Butere Girls from presenting Echoes of War, affirming the students’ right to participate in the national drama festivals.

The protest was further inflamed by the revelation that Cleophas Malala, who directed the play, had been blocked from entering the venue earlier on Wednesday. At around 5 pm, Malala posted on social media claiming that police officers had barricaded his vehicle and threatened him with arrest.

On Thursday, Advocate Ndegwa Njiru disclosed that Malala was being held at Eldama Ravine Police Station, although the exact charges against him remain unclear.

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Malala, a seasoned playwright and former lawmaker, is no stranger to controversy. In 2013, he authored Shackles of Doom, a play that was banned by the Ministry of Education for its overt critique of ethnic inequality, corruption, and exploitation in Kenya. The banning of Shackles of Doom sparked a national debate about freedom of expression, censorship, and the role of art in confronting social issues.

The parallels between Shackles of Doom and Echoes of War have not gone unnoticed. Both plays tackle politically sensitive themes, including governance, systemic injustice, and the power of youth in shaping a nation’s future.

Echoes of War, the play at the heart of the current storm, is a Gen Z-themed production that explores the post-conflict rebuilding of a fictional nation. Central to the plot are young citizens using digital tools to hold leaders accountable, demand justice, and redefine governance in the digital age.

The play critiques the erosion of civil liberties, the misuse of technology by those in power, and the resilience of a generation determined to reclaim its voice. It aligns perfectly with this year’s festival theme: “Leveraging technology to nurture talent while inculcating value for social prosperity.” Ironically, it is this alignment that has raised eyebrows, as the play’s apparent censure suggests a deeper discomfort with its message.

Public reaction to the incident has been swift, with many Kenyans on social media rallying behind the students and calling for Malala’s immediate release. Critics argue that the government’s response amounts to censorship and intimidation, particularly given the history of similar attempts to stifle artistic expression.

Human rights organizations and legal advocates have also voiced concern over what they term “state interference in educational and creative spaces.”

“The arrest of Malala and the harassment of schoolgirls for performing a play is an unacceptable abuse of power. It undermines not only freedom of expression but also the very values that the national festival is meant to uphold,” said one legal analyst.

As the 2025 National Drama and Film Festival continues until April 15, attention remains fixed on how the Ministry of Education and festival organizers will address the situation. Many are calling for an independent inquiry into the events at Kirobon Girls and the fair treatment of all participants, regardless of the content of their performances.