Drama in the Drama: Butere Girls' "Echoes of War" and the Nakuru Theatrics

 Butere Girl's Perform 'Echoes of War' in the Regional level before grabbing State's Attention. PHOTO/Standard Media Group.

If there was ever a perfect example of life imitating art, then the events of the last two days in Nakuru during the 63rd edition of the Kenya National Drama Festivals would qualify for an Oscar. Or at the very least, a standing ovation.

Now, for those not in the know, Kenya’s high school drama festivals have always been a delightful cocktail of satire, political jabs, and cultural storytelling. But this year, Butere Girls High School, the undisputed queens of theatrical rebellion, outdid themselves with their play, Echoes of War.

Zakayo Must Go: The Play That Shook the Nation

The play, which tackled themes of governance, betrayal, and youth activism, quickly turned into a political battlefield, thanks to one rather catchy chant—“Zakayo must go!” (And no, they weren’t talking about a biblical tax collector). This phrase, a cheeky nod to a certain high-profile individual, sent shockwaves all the way to State House.

And here’s where the real drama begins.

Apparently, the First Lady herself, an alumna of Butere Girls, took serious issue with the performance and rushed to court to have it banned. Irony just packed its bags and left the chat. A woman who once roamed the very same halls, possibly partook in some rebellious stage plays, now petitioning the courts to silence the next generation? The ancestors of satire must be shaking their heads.

But in a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, the High Court ruled in favor of the schoolgirls. And with that, a stage was set—not just for Echoes of War, but for a full-on showdown between Gen Z and the State.

Lights, Camera… Tear Gas?

What happened next is the kind of tragicomedy that even the best playwrights would struggle to script.

Yesterday, with cameras rolling and journalists watching, police—yes, the very people meant to protect citizens—descended upon the students like overzealous movie extras who didn’t read the script. In broad daylight, they lobbed teargas at minors, all because these girls dared to perform a play that had already been cleared by the courts.

One would think they were handling a mob of unruly protesters, not a group of teenagers expressing themselves through theatre. But no, there they were, police officers clad in riot gear, storming a school like they were reclaiming a captured territory. To add an extra plot twist, they even arrested the playwright—Cleophas Malala.

Now, this is where things get even juicier. You see, Malala isn’t just any playwright. He’s a politician. And not just any politician—he was the Secretary General of the ruling UDA party, the very party whose leader is the current President. If that’s not irony slapping reality in the face, I don’t know what is.

The Grand Walkout and a Lesson in Free Speech

But Gen Z wasn’t about to let the curtain fall without a dramatic final act.

This morning, during the festival's main events at Lions Primary School, the Butere Girls cast walked out right after performing the national anthem. Why? Because the police had allegedly confiscated their props, cut off their sound, and even denied the audience access to watch the most talked-about play in Kenya right now.

Well, if the goal was to silence them, the government has failed spectacularly. In fact, Echoes of War is now more famous than it ever would have been if they had just let it run its course. What could have been a powerful but contained piece of theatre has now exploded into a national debate about censorship, freedom of expression, and the audacity of youth to challenge the status quo.

The Final Curtain Call

Look, whatever political games are being played behind the scenes, one thing is clear: the government must respect freedom of expression. You can’t teargas students into submission. If anything, the crackdown has only amplified their voices. Now the whole country is listening.

And let’s be real—had the authorities just let the play run, the hype would have died down in a few days. But now? Echoes of War will be remembered for years to come. Maybe next year, they should just hand Butere Girls the Drama Festival trophy in advance.

Because if this was a play within a play, then the real losers here aren’t the students—it’s the government officials who forgot that when you fight Gen Z, you don’t win.

Game. Set. Match.

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About the Author: Felix Kinyua

Felix Kinyua is a freelance journalist with a degree in Mass Communication and Media and an MA in Public Policy and Administration. He specializes in investigative reporting, political analysis, and strategic communication, blending journalism with policy insights.

Beyond writing, Felix is a multimedia content creator with expertise in photography, design, and digital storytelling. Passionate about free speech and community engagement, he uses his platform to spark critical conversations and shape narratives that matter.