ODM Wades Into Butere Girls Play Drama
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna slammed the government for overreacting in response to the play
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has joined a series of voices that criticised the state for mistreating Butere Girls High School students and journalists over the controversial Echoes of War play.
In a statement on Thursday, April 10, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna slammed the government for overreacting in response to the play, with the saga earlier escalating with protests at the Nakuru drama festival.
According to the Raila Odinga-led party, freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya, rights that extend to the voices of school-going children.
Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna speaking after an ODM Central Committee meeting with leaders from Migori and Kisii Counties on May 8, 2024. /EDWIN SIFUNA
"Many of us who grew up in the age of Kenya's second liberation, and partook of the history of liberation struggles elsewhere, undoubtedly remember the South African hit movie, Sarafina. It was themed around school children standing up against apartheid in particular and oppression in general," Sifuna stated in part.
"The biggest lesson from it was that even the voices of school children matter, and indeed, because of their innocence and purity, are more crucial in the ultimate national conversation. 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"."
Sifuna opined that the government may have dug its own grave owing to the brazen response to the hard-hitting play by attempting to "dim the voices of young girls in school uniform."
"Serious questions arise when a government is scared of children's art, a mere expression of talent in a high school festival," Sifuna continued.
The opposition party went on to condemn in the strongest terms the mistreatment of Butere Girls High School, journalists and other festival goers and joined other Kenyans in demanding that the authorities allow the young artists to stage their play like everyone else.
"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.
At the same time, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, a former ODM honcho, joined in the reactions to the events at Butere Girls High School, but blamed leaders for taking national politics to the school level and using school-going children to portray their political agenda.
"I find it deeply unfortunate that we are lowering our politics to the level of schools, involving schoolchildren, or using methods that go against our traditions," the CS stated.
"It is our responsibility as leaders to protect dignity and discipline in our children, and we must remember we have only one country, and what we inculcate in our children has a long-term effect."
Protests broke out at the Nakuru drama festival when the Butere Girls drama team declined to perform, calling for the release of their director and playwright, Cleophas Malala.
The scene was marked by a heavy police presence and tear gas. Malala had been detained and taken to Eldama Ravine Police Station, but was released on Thursday.
Similarly, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, whose party belongs to the same Azimio la Umoja coalition as ODM, criticized President William Ruto’s administration for supposedly permitting the tear-gassing of Butere Girls High School students.
“How does this regime justify lobbing tear gas at young girls from Butere Girls who declined to stage their play 'Echoes of War' at the National Drama Festival?” Kalonzo questioned, adding, “I stand with Butere Girls and all students who joined the walkout in solidarity. Kenya must remain a country where even the echoes of war are heard and heeded.”
