Police Accuse Unknown Persons Of Planning To Disrupt 'Echoes Of War' Play
This is as NPS launched investigations into allegations of misconduct involving officers deployed to secure the festival
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The National Police Service (NPS) has claimed that it took the necessary measures to safeguard the 2025 Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival in response to intelligence pointing out possible infiltration by those intended to disrupt the event, where Butere Girls' play, Echoes of War, was meant to feature.
This is as NPS launched investigations into allegations of misconduct involving officers deployed to secure the festival, which was underway at Lions Primary School in Nakuru County as of Thursday, April 10.
According to NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, some unnamed individuals had planned to disrupt the event, a matter which forced officers providing security at the festival to act by heightening security measures to guarantee the safety of participants and the smooth running of the festival.
An abandoned hall where Butere Girls were scheduled to perform their play on April 10, 2025. /RODGERS KIPEMBE
"The Service endeavoured to secure the 2025 Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival, taking place at Lions Primary School in Nakuru County, by implementing stringent security measures to ensure the success of the event," Nyaga explained in part.
"On Thursday, 10 April 2025, we received credible intelligence that some individuals were planning to disrupt the event and as a responsible security organ, we put in place elaborate contingency plans to thwart such acts."
At the festival, police officers deployed tear gas to break up a crowd protesting the treatment of students from Butere Girls High School.
Caught in the chaos, some of the students, who were part of the crowd, were seen fleeing for safety. Footage circulating online shows them rushing into their school bus to escape the commotion.
The students had traveled to Lions Melvin Jones Academy in Nakuru, prepared to perform a play authored by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.
However, they declined to take the stage, instead demanding Malala’s release after he claimed that he was getting arrested.
Despite these efforts, reports have since surfaced accusing some officers of inappropriate conduct at the venue.
"The Inspector General of Police has instructed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to immediately investigate the matter and present a report within 21 days. Further, the matter is under investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and other independent bodies," added NPS.
The NPS has reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest fidelity to the Constitution, operational independence, impartiality, and political neutrality, emphasizing that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action.
