15 Butere Girls Students Went Missing, But Accounted For: Malala
Malala reported that 15 students were unaccounted for.
Marvin Chege 
Cleophas Malala, the former Kakamega Senator and screenwriter of the controversial play 'Echoes of War,' has raised concerns over missing students from Butere Girls, hours after dramatic scenes that saw the students refuse to perform the controversial play.
Speaking outside Eldama Ravine Police Station on Thursday, April 10, 2025, following a day of turmoil at Melvin Jones International School in Nakuru, Malala reported that 15 students were unaccounted for.
“Our cast comprises 38 girls. We have received information that 15 girls are missing. We want to know where our girls are. Police should produce the girls,” he told reporters after his release.
The former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General, however, did not elaborate on the exact circumstances under which the 15 Butere Girls students went missing.
An abandoned hall where Butere Girls were scheduled to perform their play on April 10, 2025. /RODGERS KIPEMBE
However, he later clarified that they were all accounted for. "There was a report that 15 girls from Butere Girls' were missing, but I want to assure all parents that they have all been accounted for. I have a very competent cast from Butere Girls," he revealed.
Earlier in the day, a bus from Butere Girls was spotted leaving Melvin Jones International School in Nakuru, the location of this year’s Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Music Festival, with students onboard.
It remains unclear whether the students had gone missing before, during, or after the chaotic scenes at Melvin Jones.
The students from Butere Girls abruptly left the performance venue just before their scheduled act. Many were visibly upset, shouting and demanding answers over what they described as harassment, neglect, and intimidation by officials.
The students explained that their departure was not impulsive. They said they had been dealing with a series of frustrations leading up to the performance, including being denied a proper stage setup, with no sound system, no decorations, and no support to help them present their play.
“We were harassed by the police, they took us to the stage with nothing. We sang our national anthem and said we are not going to perform,” one of the girls stated.
Although the girls were allowed to perform, they were denied access to essential resources that other schools received, like microphones, props, and other performance gear. To make matters worse, they weren’t even given an audience for their play, which only deepened their frustration during the nationals.
The saga gained national attention after Malala broke the news of his arrest in connection with the controversial play. In a video shared online on Thursday, April 10, 2025, police are seen lobbing tear gas in the direction of the Butere Girls’ school bus as it was leaving Melvin Jones.
Some students are seen covering their noses and eyes because of the impact of the tear gas. Moments after the tear gas subsided, a number of police officers were seen leading the bus out of the venue.
Meanwhile, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dismissed allegations that it stopped Butere Girls High School students from performing their controversial play, noting that they voluntarily declined to perform.
Here is the video:
Education CS Julius Ogamba reveals why Butere Girls students failed to perform their ‘Echoes Of War’ play.#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/CLTF4hExiO — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) April 10, 2025
