By George Orido

Human rights activist Okiya Omtatah has filed a petition in the High Court in Nairobi seeking orders to lift the ban imposed on a play, Shackles of Doom by Education Ministry officials.

Under a certificate of urgency, Mr Omtatah is seeking orders to have the play by Butere Girls staged at the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama Festivals (KNSCDF) in Mombasa in its original composition.

Omtatah, who chairs the Writers in Prison Committee of the Kenyan Chapter of Pen International, is also seeking 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.

The case to be filed today cites five grounds. He argues banning the play was unprocedural and Mr Khaemba made a unilateral decision when he vetoed the drama.

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

The application also points out the play was performed and approved by Ministry officials at all levels and it was ranked the best.

He also submits that if the ministry wishes 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.

He seeks orders that the respondents pay the costs of the case.

Many have 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.

Cleophas Malalah has wondered whether it has become taboo to enact theatre that mirrors reality of society, “You can’t sit to write about a flower growing in the bush. No one will be interested,” he quips.  The last time a production was censored and banned at the schools drama fete was in 2001 when Musingu High School’s ‘Coup D’état’ was seen by the Kanu establishment to have been too political.