KHRC sues to have 'Echoes of War' staged at drama festival

Butere Girls students scramble to get back into their bus after police officers lobbied Teargas during the 63rd edition of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival where Butere girls were to perform on April 10,2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has filed an urgent petition at the High Court seeking orders compelling the government to allow Butere Girls' High School to perform their controversial play Echoes of War at the ongoing Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals.

In court papers filed on Friday, KHRC is asking the court to issue a mandatory order requiring the Ministry of Education, Kenya National Drama and Film Festival Secretariat, and other state organs to allow the students to stage the play in its original script, with the use of their chosen props and decor, and with the assistance of their director and support staff no later than Sunday, April 13, 2025.