The Aftermath of "Echoes of War."

The Aftermath of "Echoes of War."

The National Theatre and Film Festivals are usually considered an exciting season for art lovers and an opportunity for young people to showcase their raw and pure talent. This year, however, thanks to the interference of government officials in the Butere Girls' High School play "Echoes of War," we seem to have found an unintentional new version of heroes. At first glance, it is incomprehensible why high-ranking government officials would interfere in the performance of such a play so late in the festival season. The Butere Girls' play "Echoes of War" has gone viral and garnered nationwide attention despite widespread controversy. Students boycotted the performance in an empty auditorium after police barred journalists, students, and spectators from entering. This follows a disturbing incident at Kirobon Girls' High School, where six female journalists were injured while covering an ongoing drama. Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok was the guest of honor at the official opening on April 7. Bitok urged young people to create positive content on social media and to refrain from the tendency to constantly "misuse science and technology." It emerged that Butere Girls' High School was instructed to cut certain sections of the play "Echoes of War" so it could continue on a national stage. Julius Ogamba, CS in Education, explained that the play's profound, politically motivated messages and the lack of adherence to the edited script led to the dramatic events witnessed in Nakuru. This can simply be described as censorship. Censorship is an instrument of political power. These are closely linked, as censorship is often used as an instrument of political control. The government or ruling groups use censorship to suppress undesirable opinions and control public debate. Criticism of politics, oppositional viewpoints, or inconvenient revelations (e.g., whistleblowers) are blocked. Freedom of art and the media often become political issues, as here in Kenya. Censorship is an instrument of power that is used differently depending on the political system. While democracies do have fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, borderline cases (surveillance) also occur. In autocracies, censorship, on the other hand, is a central means of control. Art must be free! Art must not be censored! Art is more than just an aesthetic product—it functions as a multifaceted teacher that inspires, challenges, and transforms us on multiple levels. Art teaches us to make our inner world visible. As we have now learned, not everyone wants us to see this "beautiful and pure" world as it truly is. It encourages the expression of individual perspectives and emotions through creation—be it through painting, sculpture, or performance. As Johannes Itten emphasized, arts education aims to "unleash the creative powers" and develop people as "holistic beings." This is particularly evident in school classes, where art is often the only space that allows subjective forms of expression beyond standardized evaluation. Art invites us to view the world from multiple perspectives. Art teaches us to tolerate ambiguity. Art doesn't offer easy solutions, but rather invites continuous discussion. Discussions are unwelcome in Kenya, especially when they produce approaches other than those of the government, rather than providing ready-made answers. Art prepares us for uncertainty. People must learn to survive in an "increasingly narrow field" where economic pressure and the marginalization of artistic practice pose challenges. "Strengthening recalcitrance" and building networks are essential. At the same time, art functions as therapy to cope with everyday stress—for example, through painting or craft activities. Art teaches synergies between disciplines. The writing method combines literature with painting and music. Such approaches demonstrate that artistic thinking transcends traditional boundaries. Art ultimately teaches us how to be human: It sharpens our perception, challenges conventions, and creates connections—between individuals, cultures, and ideas. As Lutz-Sterzenbach puts it: "What art offers, no other field offers." In a world that strives for efficiency and clarity, it reminds us of the value of the incomplete, the questioning—and the beautiful. Perhaps this would be one approach to communicating this to those in power. The play "Echoes of War" had been banned. The court lifted the ban and allowed the school to perform the Generation Z-themed play at Lions Junior School. Malala had recounted that police came to the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival to prevent him from overseeing the rehearsal of "Echoes of War." Eventually, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd that had gathered outside the Girls High School to witness a confrontation between former Senator Cleophas Malala and police. Moments later, live clips showed images of tear gas and police cars as reporters on the scene fled after the situation escalated. One of the main factors that makes the play controversial is not only its thought-provoking themes; it is also the play's some very memorable quotes. In one instance, a character named Anifa says, "While others were busy bombing buildings, he was busy bombing me." Another powerful quote from the play is, "This is a generational war. A war against authorities who have ignored our cries. A war against our own parents, who cling to their rigid ways and are still trapped in the outdated norms and primitive practices of the past. A war against a society that brands us as a corrupt generation and condemns us without understanding. A war against the religious leaders who shackle our modern minds and prevent us from exploring the possibilities of a new world." At the end, Sultan, the ruler of the Royal Velvet Emirates, says, "Never again will we dance to the... ECHOES OF WAR..." as he proclaims peace and the end of the war between the young and the old generations. That can cause pain. And that hurts the government. One political party, the ODM, has spoken out, the very one in coalition with the UDA. In an official statement, it expressed its concern about the ongoing chaos at the national drama performances in Nakuru County, where Butere Girls' High School's play had caused a stir elsewhere. The government was sharply criticized for hampering students' creativity in school dramas. ODM said the government should not interfere in the creative work of student plays. ODM also cited an example of how students performed a play about South Africa's oppressive leadership in the film "Sarafina." The voices of schoolchildren are also important, and it should not be forgotten that their voices, because of their innocence and purity, are of great importance to the national debate. By openly opposing the play "Echoes of War," going to court, and even the police use of tear gas at the school, the ODM believes the government had essentially shot itself in the foot. "Given all the evidence before us of the lack of seriousness of this leadership, the government has shot itself in the foot by attempting to silence the voice of little girls in school uniforms," ​​ODM added. And in a released statement, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the events at Kirobon Girls' High School were regrettable. Sifuna expressed surprise that the Kenyan government was afraid of the play during Kwanza when the students were simply showcasing their talent. Kalonzo, Azimi, questioned the motives behind the government's alleged decision to prevent the students from performing their play at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru County. Kalonzo expressed his support for the students and praised them for not performing after police intervention. He added that the courage shown by the students was a national wake-up call. "How does this regime justify the use of tear gas on young Butere Girls who refused to perform their play 'Echoes of War' at the National Drama Festival?" Kalonzo asked. The government's actions raise serious questions. Apparently, the government is intimidated by the young schoolchildren who wanted to showcase their acting talent. Another question is, perhaps the government doesn't want to see their failures. "We strongly condemn the harassment of students, journalists, and other visitors to the Butere Girls and join other Kenyans calling on the government to allow the students to perform like others," ODM concluded. In a press conference, Education Minister Julius Ogamba stated that the students voluntarily chose not to perform (after the tear gas?) and instead chanted the name of former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala. According to the Education Minister, shortly after their arrival, the students began chanting Malala's name and demanding her release by the police. Briefing journalists, Ogamba expressed concerns about the students' motives behind the chants and questioned whether Malala was their teacher. Ogamba was forced to comment on the matter. Public outrage among Kenyans – including politicians – expressed their disappointment over the controversial decision to ban the students from performing their play. His comments came about two hours after the students refused to perform the controversial play. Instead, they sang the national anthem before leaving. That's when police intervened and began dispersing the crowd surrounding the students, firing tear gas at them. Truly democratic! A wave of emotions swept over Butere Girls' High School as 35 students returned from Nakuru County under heavy police escort. A video shows a school bus entering the school grounds, wedged between two government vehicles. The bus was guarded by a police car carrying heavily armed officers until it entered the school. The Butere Girls are being treated like criminals. The criminals are those who throw tear gas, but even worse are those who gave the order to do it. "The nation is shocked by the ongoing drama at the Nakuru National Drama Festival. The government appears to be panicking over the Butere Girls' play 'Echoes of War.' Beyond all the evidence of this government's lack of direction, it has done itself the most harm by attempting to bully and silence young girls in school uniforms," ​​Sifuna said. The police's use of tear gas to disperse the Butere Girls students must be rejected in the strongest possible terms; it is simply disgraceful. "We strongly condemn the violence against the Butere Girls' School, journalists, and other festival participants, and we, along with other Kenyans, demand that the authorities give these aspiring artists the opportunity to perform their play like everyone else," said Sifuna. Conclusion What should have been a perfectly normal National Drama Festival has turned into an ugly national tussle. The blame must be placed on the government for pitting itself against teenage girls while Kenya watches in shock. After a flawless performance in the play "Echoes of War," the Butere Girls theater group penetrated from the local level to several other jurisdictions. The government quickly took notice, and everything went wrong. Because people were uncomfortable with the play's message and its nuances, some shady forces ultimately prevailed, and the play was subsequently disqualified from the Western Region Drama Festival—all under unclear circumstances. Shame on Kenya! We must commend the courage and patriotism of Kenyan students in the face of an oppressive and insecure state and express the solidarity they need. They fearlessly took up this important play and continued, even after threats from State House. This violent attack on freedom of thought, conscience, information, opinion, and speech—guaranteed by nothing less than the Constitution[1]—violates the state's obligation to provide children with an education. [1] See Constitution of Kenya, Articles 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 on freedom of thought, conscience, belief, and opinion; freedom of expression; information; and freedom of association. 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