Outrage grows over teargassing of students at drama festival as condemnation intensifies

A storm of criticism has erupted across the country after police officers reportedly teargassed students of Butere Girls High School and disrupted their scheduled performance at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has triggered widespread condemnation from human rights groups, legal bodies, politicians and civil society leaders, all calling the government’s actions an attack on children, creativity, and constitutional freedoms.

Amnesty International Kenya (AI Kenya) condemned the incident, describing it as an outright violation of children’s rights and freedom of expression.

“What unfolded was not just a shameful abuse of police authority but a direct assault on constitutional freedoms,” said AI Kenya Director Irungu Houghton.

“Silence is not safety—children must be free to speak, perform, and imagine a different world without the threat of state violence,” he added.

Annesty also called for the immediate and unconditional release of thespian Cleophas Malala, who was arrested over the play Echoes of War.

Outrageous and traumatic

The National Gender and Equality Commission called the police response outrageous and traumatic.

“Firing canisters at schoolgirls? It’s absolutely outrageous. Teargas is not crowd control—it’s trauma, fear and injustice,” the commission said in a statement.

The body demanded investigations and accountability, stressing that such abuse of power cannot be tolerated when it targets children.

The Orange Democratic Movement Party, through its Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, described the incident as proof that the current regime is afraid of children’s voices.

“Serious questions arise when a government is scared of children’s art, a mere expression of talent in a high school festival,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the South African film Sarafina, he emphasised the importance of youth voices in national conversations.

“We join other Kenyans in demanding that the authorities allow the young artists to stage their play like all else,” he said.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka termed the events a “national shame”, further questioning the silence from key government offices.

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“The silence from State House, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior is absolutely telling,” he said.

Strong message

Kalonzo praised the bravery of the students who walked out in protest, saying their courage had sent a strong message to the nation.

“When voices of truth are silenced and art is censored, democracy suffers,” he added. “Art is not a crime.”

Former Chief Justice David Maraga condemned the use of force on students, calling it both unconstitutional and unacceptable.

“The use of force against minors—children who were engaging in a peaceful, creative, and educational activity—is not only unconscionable but also unconstitutional,” he said.

He reminded those responsible that justice would eventually catch up with them.

“The wheels of justice, though they grind slowly, will surely give us the country we deserve.”

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo echoed the outrage, saying the government had turned its back on the most vulnerable.

“There is no legitimacy that can be claimed by an administration that attacks its children,” she stated.

“We can never be onlookers as our children are maimed for participating in extracurricular activities that have historically nurtured our best talents,” Odhiambo said.

Deliberately targeted

DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, speaking from Nakuru, where the incident occurred, said the students were deliberately targeted.

He claimed they were frustrated to the point of abandoning their performance.

“The police have now started teargassing the crowds that have gathered, insisting that without Butere Girls, there will be no drama,” Wamalwa said.

Lawyer Nelson Havi said the government had crossed the line.

“This administration has crossed the line. It has interfered with education at all levels,” he said, warning that public patience was wearing thin.

The criticism follows reports that on Thursday morning, students of Butere Girls were teargassed while walking from Kirobon Girls High School, where the drama festival is being held.

The students, accompanied by members of the public and other schools, were allegedly targeted by police aiming to disperse the crowd.

Eyewitnesses reported chants of “Ruto Must Go” as chaos unfolded.