The Ministry of Education has dismissed allegations that it stopped Butere Girls High School students from performing their controversial play, "Echoes of War," at the National Drama Festivals held in Nakuru County.
Addressing the press on Thursday afternoon, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the students voluntarily declined to perform and instead resorted to chanting former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala's name.
According to the education minister, moments after their arrival, the learners began chanting Malala's name, demanding his release by the police officers.
While briefing journalists, Ogamba expressed concerns about the learners' motive behind the chants, further questioning whether Malala was their teacher.
Ogamba was forced to address the matter after public outrage from Kenyans, including those from the political class, who expressed disappointment at the controversial decision to stop the learners from performing their play.
His sentiments followed about two hours after the students refused to perform the controversial play and instead resorted to singing the national anthem before walking away.
However, while the learners were walking away, police officers intervened and began confronting the crowd that surrounded the students. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, the police officers pelted tear gas canisters at the crowd.
Preliminary information obtained by Kenyans.co.ke revealed that the learners were denied a public address system to use in the drama festivals, forcing their walkout.
Videos showed the girls running away from the dais, demanding the presence of their director, Cleophas Malala, who, at the time, was under police custody.
Efforts by teachers and other stakeholders to cool down the learners proved futile at the students momentarily staged a protest outside the Melvin Johns Hall to express their frustrations.
However, after hours of tension, the Butere Girls High School learners departed the venue for Kakamega in the company of a heavy police escort.
Meanwhile, several leaders, particularly those from the opposition, have criticised the government for allegedly failing to intervene and allow the leaders to perform their play.
Among those who spoke include Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who accused President William Ruto's administration of allowing the teargassing of the learners.
