Kenya’s national high school drama competition was covered up by its own drama as police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd gathered to watch the controversial game.
The play “Response of War” emphasizes the role of digital space in governance and the power of youth in shaping social change – similar to the current political situation in Kenya.
Initially disqualified from the drama festival in unclear circumstances, but the High Court ruling later reversed the decision and ordered it to be included.
Tensions broke out in the western Nakuru demanding the release of the show’s author Thursday morning as students rushed out of the venue.
The scriptwriter and former Senator Cleophas Malala, written for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police and unable to meet with students on Wednesday night’s final rehearsal.
Malala was later released without a person in charge and praised the students for boycotting the show.
“The young girls of Butere Girls underwent a heroic act of recovery. I was determined to make sure the echoes of the war were shown in front of Kenyan audiences.”
The students briefly sang the national anthem before leaving the hall, which was closed by anti-motorcycle police, armed with batons and tear gas cans.
“There is no listener. Who are we performing for?” one of the girls told reporters.
They also complain about police harassment.
After news of Malala’s arrest, a large crowd gathered outside the venue and watched the drama curiously.
But in trouble, anti-motorcycle police have been deployed overnight, firing tear gas to disperse potential audiences.
Education Minister Julius Ogamba questioned Malala’s participation in the competition, saying that the politician was neither a teacher nor a director of drama.
The bank sparked a public uproar, Amnesty International said it “points to worrying patterns of free expression, free press and right to communication for state sponsorship.”
The famous opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned police for firing tear gas near students, praising the “brave” girl for refusing to perform.
The Orange Democracy Movement (ODM) in a statement asked students to be allowed to stage their own game like all other competitors.
The show highlights the widening gap between the two generations – the elderly and young people have made the required changes through innovation and technology.
It reflects some of Kenya’s most pressing problems, some of which sparked deadly protests from youth leaders.
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