'Ruto Must Go' Chants As Butere Girls Refuse To Perform 'Echoes Of War' Play [VIDEO]

As the chants echoed, police fired tear gas into Melvin Jones Academy, forcing dozens of students to retreat to their buses.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Apr 10, 2025 - 10:18 Updated: Apr 10, 2025 - 10:23
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'Ruto Must Go' Chants As Butere Girls Refuse To Perform 'Echoes Of War' Play [VIDEO]
Students marching at Melvin Jones Academy on April 10, 2025. /X

The infamous 'Ruto must go' chants dominated dramatic scenes during the National Drama Festivals at Melvin Jones Lions Academy in Nakuru County as students from Butere Girls' High School declined to perform their controversial play, 'Echoes of War'.

Tensions involving former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who is also the girls' director, began hours ago and escalated early on Thursday morning, April 10. Students from performing schools declined to perform their plays in protest.

The decision sparked chants of “Ruto Must Go” from some attendees and supporters, who were caught on video escorting the school bus away from the event. As the chants echoed, police fired tear gas into Melvin Jones Academy, forcing dozens of students to retreat to their buses.

Among those present was lawyer Ken Echesa, a central figure in getting the play back into the festival lineup. Echesa had also secured a High Court order permitting Cleophas Malala to direct the play — a decision that ultimately led to Malala’s arrest.

Tensions escalated after the students pulled out, with Echesa seen clashing with security officers on school grounds.

"One day, Kenyans will rise above these frustrations; you can kill me, you can kill him, but you cannot kill everyone in this country. Some of us can give away our lives to save the rest," the frustrated lawyer said.

Multiple videos seen by Viral Tea showed the girls running as they shouted, "We want our director!". This came hours after Malala was arrested on Wednesday evening.

One of the students from Butere Girls mentioned police intimidation and a poorly prepared stage as reasons for issues with 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. This, however, turned a shade worse when police attacked journalists covering the developing standoff. Six of them were injured.

Malala, who’s currently clashing with the UDA party, openly admitted to writing the play. He’s since been arrested and is now being held at Eldama Ravine Police Station.

An abandoned hall where Butere Girls were scheduled to perform their play on April 10, 2025. /RODGERS KIPEMBE

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