The government has issued a public apology to students from Butere Girls High School after police fired tear gas at them during the national drama festivals in Nakuru.
The students were leaving the venue at Kirobon Girls High School on April 10 after boycotting their play, Echoes of War, following the arrest of its writer, Cleophas Malala, the night before.
Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, expressed regret over the incident during a Citizen TV interview on Wednesday night.
“Let me take this with the full honour of government and apologise to all the girls of Butere Girls… I sincerely apologise to you, and with my apology comes the full force of government,” he said.
The play, Echoes of War, had stirred controversy due to its bold themes of bad governance, abuse of power, and the growing disconnect between Kenya’s youth and leadership.
Though initially disqualified from the festival under unclear circumstances, a court order reinstated it, allowing the students to compete—only for tensions to escalate days later.
Malala, a former senator and the play’s author, was prevented by police from joining the students for final rehearsals and was later arrested without charge.
Outraged, the students protested, refused to perform, and exited the hall while singing the national anthem.
Riot police responded by firing tear gas, triggering widespread criticism and concern.
“There’s no audience. Who are we performing for?” one student asked reporters, voicing frustration over what they said was police harassment.
The fallout has drawn backlash from human rights organizations and political leaders.
Amnesty International said the incident reflects “a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression” of free expression.
Chief Justice Martha Koome also weighed in, warning that disobeying court orders undermines the rule of law.
Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka praised the students’ bravery, while the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded the students be allowed to perform their play without interference.
Addressing reports on social media that the school’s principal had been punished, Itumbi dismissed the claims. He clarified that the principal is nearing retirement and will not face any disciplinary action.
“She has had an outstanding career, and we’ll allow her to finish her call of duty,” he said.
Itumbi pledged that the government would work closely with stakeholders in the creative industry to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
“We’re not only sorry for that teargas, but also for not managing this to the very end. We missed out on the most important and consequential act at the national level.”
Set in a fictional kingdom ruled by a tyrannical sultan, Echoes of War mirrors Kenya’s socio-political climate, with youth challenging the status quo—a narrative that seems to have hit a nerve.
