Echoes of War Stories

Itumbi faults halting of Butere Girls' play, calls action unnecessary but defends state's role
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 17, 2025

The play’s controversial theme, which focuses on a young generation rising up against an oppressive government, has triggered intense public debate, w...

Ruto warns politicians: Keep learners out of politics, focus on nurturing talent
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 17, 2025

His remarks come days after a dramatic protest by Butere Girls High School students during the national drama festivals in Nakuru.

Ruto speaks out after uproar over Butere Girls ‘Echoes of War’ play controversy
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 13, 2025

Ruto stressed the government’s commitment to nurturing talent in all its forms while warning against individuals attempting to use children for politi...

KHRC takes legal action over 'Echoes of War' controversy at Drama Festival
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 12, 2025

The petition, filed on Friday, calls for an order to compel the Ministry of Education, the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival Secretariat, and oth...

IG of Police gives Internal Affairs Unit 21 days to probe National Drama Festivals misconduct claims
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 11, 2025

The National Police Service has promised full accountability if any officers are found to have acted outside the law.

Ministry of Education to review regulations after Butere Girls' play incident
Mary Wambui  |  Apr 10, 2025

He further stated that the Ministry had decided to review the rules and regulations governing the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival to ensure str...

Ogamba explains Butere Girls drama festival dispute, warns principals against involving non-teachers
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 10, 2025

According to Ogamba, Malala was barred from training Butere Girls for the play since the rules of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival (KNDFF) d...

Butere MP Tindi Mwale demands accountability over police interference at drama festivals
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Apr 10, 2025

Mwale is also seeking clarification on the reasons behind the deployment of anti-riot police and the excessive use of force during the event, as well...

NPS condemns harassment of journalists at drama festivals Nakuru, vows disciplinary action
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 10, 2025

During the coverage, anti-riot police reportedly targeted the journalists by lobbing tear gas canisters directly at them.

Keep politics out of schools, Murkomen tells off Malala over Echoes of War play
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 10, 2025

Speaking during a visit to Lamu County on Thursday, Murkomen said that while students are free to question society and government, political figures s...

Echoes of War to be performed by top actors at public event- Malala
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 10, 2025

Malala praised the students of Butere Girls High School for boycotting the scheduled performance of Echoes of War, a move he described as heroic.

CS Ogamba: Butere Girls students declined to perform Echoes of War by choice
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 10, 2025

Echoes of War is a play that tackles themes such as technology, governance, and social justice, highlighting the role of youth and digital spaces in s...

Update: 15 Butere Girls students reported missing following standoff at Nakuru drama festival found
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 10, 2025

Malala, who wrote the play, said he was arrested around midnight on Wednesday and taken to Eldama Ravine Police Station.

Butere Girls’ troubled performance at drama festival echoes Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s banned play
Barack Oduor  |  Apr 10, 2025

Scholars and literary critics are not happy with President William Ruto’s administration over its handling of the Butere Girls High School play.

Outrage grows over teargassing of students at drama festival as condemnation intensifies
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 10, 2025

The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has triggered widespread condemnation from human rights groups, legal bodies, politicians and civil...

Butere Girls' bold stand, tears of triumph after refusing to stage Echoes of War without audience
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 10, 2025

With tears in their eyes, they sang the national anthem, the only message they felt they could send to the government before running off the stage, st...

Gideon Moi: State’s attempt to ban Butere Girls play is suppressing freedom of expression
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 10, 2025

The play titled Echoes of War, written by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, has caused considerable controversy, with government authorities at...

Butere Girls’ play 'Echoes of War' pulled from Western regional drama festival
Eastleigh Voice Reporter  |  Mar 29, 2025

The school’s drama club has been instructed to disband, with its members expected to leave by Monday.

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