The Western Regional Drama Festival has taken an unexpected turn after Butere Girls High School’s celebrated play, Echoes of War, was pulled out of the winners’ gala. The decision comes just days before the National Drama Festival in Nakuru and has left participants, educators and drama enthusiasts talking.
No Reason Given
Despite the play’s strong reception and being among the regional winners, no explanation has been given for its removal. The school has been told to stop preparations and dismiss its members by Monday, effectively ending its journey to the national stage.
This is not the first time a play has been banned. Remember Shackles of Doom, a play written by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah, which was banned in 2019? At the time, Ministry of Education officials prohibited its performance at the national level. But activist and current Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah challenged the decision in court and won. Justice David Majanja ruled in favour of the play, citing the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
A Play About Contemporary Issues
Written by Malalah, Echoes of War explores technology, politics and social justice – issues that resonate with Gen Z. Set in the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates, the play is about a post-civil war society where young people take charge of rebuilding their country.
The story follows Mustafa, a fourth year IT student who develops Telemedicine, a revolutionary software that connects patients with doctors worldwide. His innovation catches the attention of the ruling sultan but complications arise when controversial social media posts from his past resurface, revealing his links to the civil war.
Is There a Pattern of Censorship?
The removal of Echoes of War has raised questions about censorship of creative works that address sensitive issues. Given the history of Shackles of Doom and its eventual reinstatement, stakeholders are wondering if Echoes of War is facing a similar fate due to its themes.
Drama festivals have always been a platform for young artists to express themselves and tackle issues affecting their communities. The exclusion of plays that deal with political or social justice themes is a limitation on artistic freedom in school productions.
What’s Next for Butere Girls?
Now that the National Drama Festival is just around the corner, Butere Girls’ drama team is in limbo. Will they challenge the decision like they did with Shackles of Doom? Only time will tell.
The drama will continue to unfold and attract attention from education stakeholders, arts lovers and legal experts. The conversation about artistic freedom in schools is far from over and this might just set the pace for future drama festivals in Kenya.
