Court lifts ban on Shackles of Doom play

By Isaiah Lucheli

Nairobi, Kenya: The High Court has lifted a ban imposed by Education Ministry on controversial play Shackles of Doom and ruled Butere Girls can stage it at the ongoing Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama festival in Mombasa.

Justice David Majanja issued the order on Wednesday in a suit filed by Human rights activist Okiya Omtatah.

Omtatah had filed a petition in the High Court seeking orders to lift the ban and have the play staged at the festivals in its original composition.

The play which depicts unequal distribution of resources and dominance of main government positions with main ethnic groups.

Omtatah, who chairs the Writers in Prison Committee of the Kenyan Chapter of Pen International also sought orders to have the ministry stopped from gagging freedom of expression and artistic talent nurtured by academic institutions.

He has named Attorney General Githu Muigai, Education PS George Godia, Executive Secretary KNSCDF Patrick Khaemba as first, second and third respondents respectively.

He argued that banning the play was unprocedural and Mr Khaemba made a unilateral decision when he vetoed the drama.

He said National Drama Executive Committee never sat to decide on the ban and that neither Khaemba nor the Committee has ever watched the said play.

He submitted that if the ministry wished to censure plays it ought to establish a proper censorship board, and the exercise should be done before schools invest time, money and other resources in productions.

Many criticised the ban and have expressed fears that the Kanu days of repression could be finding their way back.

“It is a pity that there is even no discussion on the arbitrary action given our history and our future as a nation. It is not just about a school play,” says Dr Mshai Mwangola the Governing Council Chairperson of the Kenya Cultural Centre.