Gideon Moi condemns harassment of Malala over 'Echoes of War' play

Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala blocked from accessing Butere Girls students who are set to perform their controversial play titled ' Echoes of War' on April 9, 2025. [Joseph Kipsang, Standard] Former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has condemned efforts by security apparatus to silence the students of Butere Girls High School by attempting to stop them from staging their play, 'Echoes of War'. In a statement to newsrooms, Mr Moi expressed his concern over the state's use of violent intimidation against Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter, in an attempt to prevent the play from being performed at the 63rd National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru. The KANU National Chairman described the play as 'a pure form of artistic expression', noting that it serves as a bold and thoughtful satire on the collapse of social services, entrenched patronage politics, and broken promises reflecting the frustrations of young people in the country. Mr Moi pointed out that the play had been banned from advancing to the national level, but it was only through judicial intervention that its performance was ensured. "This act of censorship recalls the 2013 ban of 'Shackles of Doom,' which was also staged by the same institution and scripted by Hon Malala," he stated. The Kanu party leader further highlighted that this incident is part of a troubling trend of silencing dissent through extrajudicial means. "Just days earlier, a violent group disrupted a gathering at a place of worship in Kasarani, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was present," he noted. The former Senator remarked on the irony that peaceful expression is criminalized while violence associated with the state is often ignored or covertly encouraged. "Indeed, Kenya prides itself on a robust Bill of Rights that guarantees freedom of expression. Yet, security agencies are deployed to suppress a high school play while turning a blind eye to lawlessness by armed gangs in public spaces," he said Moi described this trend as alarming, indicating that the government has lost touch with its citizens and is dangerously off course. "The impact of rising economic hardships and growing public dissatisfaction cannot be addressed through intimidation and fear," he emphasized. He urged the government to conduct an honest self-assessment and realign its priorities with its core mandate, focusing on impactful policy interventions in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Moi encouraged the government to create a conducive environment for private sector-led economic development, explaining that wealth creation through industrialization will ultimately lead to youth employment, improved livelihoods, and greater peace and stability. "The young girls of Butere are not enemies of the state; they are the daughters of this nation. Instead of being punished for expressing the truth through art, they should be celebrated," he said. His sentiments come even as the students staged a walkout from the festival after they were harassed by police. Malala, who is the former Kakamega Senator, was last evening blocked by DCI officers from accessing students of Butere Girls High School at Kirobon Girls' School in Nakuru, where they were rehearsing the contentious play. His lawyer Kennedy Echesa said the former senator is being held at the Eldama Ravine Police Station in Baringo and is expected to be arraigned this morning, though the specific charges have not been disclosed. "As I continue to be held incommunicado at the Eldama Ravine Police Station, the drama team performing my play, Echoes of War, is being forced to stage it without costumes, soundtracks, or even a proper stage," Malala said in a statement adding, "This is not just an attack on a play, but a blow to the soul of the creative spirit. What a devastating day for the arts."

Gideon Moi condemns harassment of Malala over 'Echoes of War' play

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Gideon Moi condemns harassment of Malala over 'Echoes of War' play

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