Heartbroken students from Butere Girls High School have staged a walkout, minutes after arriving at the Melvin Jones Academy in Nakuru City for the 63rd National Drama and Film Festivals.

The girls who arrived singing the national anthem in tears observed a minute of silence before walking off the stage.

The school had initially been banned from performing their play, “Echoes of War,” but the High Court directed both the school and the scriptwriter to present the play.

However, anti-riot police, armed with batons and teargas canisters, sealed off the area, denying access to both the media and the public, with festival officials forcing the students to perform without an audience, costumes, soundtracks, or a proper stage setup, but they declined.

Butere Girls students stage a walkout from National Drama Festival main stage, moments after performing the national anthem; cite police harassment and poor stage setup.

Video By Julius Chepkwony pic.twitter.com/3GHPsfmLNL

— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) April 10, 2025

As that unfolds, the play’s scriptwriter, Cleophas Malala, a former Kakamega Senator and UDA Secretary, is being held at the Eldama Ravine Police Station. 

Speaking to The Standard, Malal stated: “As I continue being held incommunicado at the Eldama Ravine Police Station, the drama team performing my play, ‘Echoes of War,’ is being forced to perform without costumes, soundtracks, or a proper stage set.”

He expressed his regret, emphasising that this situation was not just an attack on a play but a deep blow to the creative spirit.

The students’ teacher reported that their three trainers were not allowed entry to the venue and faced harassment from officials.

Police later fired teargas canisters at the students and members of the public who were showing solidarity with them outside the hall.

More updates to follow.