The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly condemned the mistreatment of Butere Girls  High School students and journalists by police during the attempted staging of their play.

In a statement issued by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, the party also demanded that authorities allow the students to stage their performance.

“We wish to condemn in the strongest term possible, the mistreatment of Butere Girls High School, journalists and other festival goers and join other Kenyans in demanding that the authorities allow the young artists to stage their play,” the statement read.

“We reiterate that the freedom of expression guaranteed by our constitution allows people of all ages to express themselves freely even if we do not particularly like what they have to say,” the statement added.

The party accused the government of attempting to silence the voices of young girls, describing the incident as a misstep.

“The country has watched with disbelief the unfolding drama at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru where the government has seemingly run scared of a play by Butere Girls, titled Echoes of War,” the statement noted.

 “Serious questions arise when a government is scared of children’s art, a mere expression of talent in a high school festival,” it added.

Their remarks come amid ongoing uproar over the mistreatment of Butere Girls by officers and festival officials, which warranted their decision not to stage their play.