Butere Girls High School on Thursday morning declined to stage their controversial play Echoes of War citing frustration from the government and organisers of the National Drama Festival.
The students had been forced to perform without an audience after police locked out members of public and the media from accessing the Melvin Jones Hall in Nakuru.
The girls went to stage, recited the National Anthem, stood in silence for one minute and then exited the stage in protest against performing without an audience.
‘Echoes of War’ is set in a fictional nation emerging from the ashes of civil war.
At its heart is a generation of young people striving to rebuild society, hold their leaders accountable, and use digital platforms to advance democracy and justice.
The story examines the intersections of governance, technology, and civil liberties – themes that resonate deeply with Gen Z, a demographic that is increasingly vocal in political discourse.
The government had banned the play from being showcased at the festival but the ban was lifted by the High Court.
