The 63rd National Drama Festival in Nakuru took a dramatic and emotional turn when students from Butere Girls High School staged a peaceful but powerful walkout from the main stage, sparking national outrage and chants of “Ruto must go! No Butere, no drama!” from members of the public.
The Butere Girls were scheduled to perform their much talked about play “Echoes of War,” a powerful drama piece written by former senator Cleophas Malala. However, the girls say they were met with police harassment, an unprepared stage, and complete disregard for their efforts.
When they reached the stage, they found no sound system, no lighting, no decor, and no support for their performance. In response, the girls made a patriotic and peaceful statement—they stood in unity and sang the national anthem, then turned and walked off the stage.
Crowds that had gathered to watch the performance were shocked, and soon staged protest in solidarity with the girls, chanting “No Butere, no drama!” and “Ruto must go!” as a sign of frustration over the mistreatment of the students and the politicization of the arts festival.
Parents, teachers, and human rights activists have condemned the incident, calling it a national shame. Many are questioning why school children, who had worked hard to prepare for a national event, were treated with such hostility.
Witnesses say police officers had earlier used tear gas near the venue and tried to block playwright Malala from accessing the students. The heavy-handed response has been seen as an attempt to silence the message behind the play, which touches on issues of leadership and social justice.
Despite the walkout, the Butere Girls have been praised across the country for their bravery, unity, and peaceful resistance. Social media has erupted with support, with many calling for the Ministry of Education to apologize and take action.
The message from Kenyans is now loud and clear: Art is powerful, and students must not be silenced.
By Nairobi