I'm Being Arrested: Cleophas Malala [VIDEO]

The former legislator, in a video he shared, confirmed his arrest and expressed frustration over the fact that more than 50 police officers had been deployed to detain him

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Apr 9, 2025 - 19:25 Updated: Apr 9, 2025 - 20:03
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I'm Being Arrested: Cleophas Malala [VIDEO]
Cleophas Malala speaking during a past rally. /FILE

Former Kakamega senator and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala, has claimed that he has been arrested.

Malala, who took to his social media platforms on Wednesday, April 9, alleged that he was arrested for his role in the drafting of a play titled 'Echoes Of War'.

The former legislator, in a video he shared, confirmed his arrest and expressed frustration over the fact that more than 50 police officers had been deployed to detain him simply for writing a play.

He was also seen confronting officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), demanding to know the reason behind his arrest.

“I am now being arrested for scripting a play, ECHOES OF WAR. Shame!!!” Cleophas Malala wrote.

“It has reached a point in Kenya where I get arrested for writing a play, and they come with fifty police officers. What crime have I committed by writing a play script?”

Malala further claimed that officers from the DCIO were being used to arrest him solely because he wrote the play.

The play, Echoes of War, was performed by Butere Girls High School during the high school Drama and Film Festivals. However, the school faced a major setback when the play was controversially disqualified from the Western Region winners’ gala. As a result, the drama club was told to send its members home, bringing their preparations for the national competition to a halt.

This decision came despite the school's strong track record — they had won at the Butere Sub-County level and placed third at the Western Regional Drama Festivals.

But in a turn of events on April 3, Justice Wilfrida Okwany ordered the school’s principal, Jennifer Omondi, to recall the 50 students involved in the production so they could participate in the Nakuru national event. The court also halted any directives preventing the school from joining the national festival.

Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, then at Basic Education, later confirmed that Butere Girls High School would indeed perform Echoes of War at the ongoing Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru County.

Speaking at the official opening of the 63rd edition of the annual schools and colleges festival at Melvin Jones Hall in Nakuru, Bitok assured the public that the students would showcase their play as scheduled. “There were issues raised earlier, but they have been resolved. I don’t want us to dwell on them—I can assure the public that the play will go on,” said Bitok.

The play explores the challenges faced by young people in their fight for civil liberties, touching on themes like social justice, governance, and other issues that deeply connect with Generation Z.

Set in the imaginary Royal Velvet Emirates, the story unfolds in a post-civil war nation where youth lead efforts to rebuild critical institutions and push for reforms in healthcare, education, and the justice system.

The main character, Mustafa, is a final-year IT student who creates Telemedicine — a platform that links patients with doctors globally. But his past political commentary on social media, particularly about the war, puts him in conflict with those in power.

Another central figure, Anifa Imana, is an AI system that symbolizes both the promise and the risks of using technology in governance.

Through these characters and themes, the play critiques how digital platforms influence politics and emphasizes the pivotal role young people play in driving progress and societal transformation.

Malala has, of late, been critical of President William Ruto's government. Recently, he called out the Head of State over his projects, watering down their significance as compared to his predecessors.

While speaking at a Sunday service at PCEA Kasarani East on April 6, Malala stated that President Ruto currently lacks a major project that would define a strong legacy once he leaves office.

He specifically took aim at the affordable housing initiative — a key part of Ruto’s agenda — dismissing the units as mere “bedsitters” and arguing that they fall short of qualifying as a transformative national project.

"We remember that the former president, Mwai Kibaki, brought free primary education and the Thika Super Highway, and also for stabilising the economy during his time. During the tenure of President Uhuru Kenyatta, we saw the construction of the Nairobi Expressway, the SGR, and Mau Mau roads, but when we come to Ruto, what will we remember about him? Has he built a road?" he posed.

"Every president has their legacy, and we want to challenge William Ruto, this is your third year in power, what have you done? Your work is launching bedsitters. How can a whole president launch a bedsitter and then pose for a photo with a child in that house?"

President William Ruto (middle) alongside former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and UDA SG Cleophas Malala at the party headquarters on APRIL 2, 2024. /CLEOPHAS MALALA

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