Kanu chairman Gideon Moi joined the condemnation of the arrest and detention of former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala over a controversial play by a school in Nakuru.
Malala was arrested and detained overnight on Wednesday as he sought to attend a rehearsal of a play titled “Echoes of War” by Butere Girls High School.
He had arrived at the venue of the rehearsals when he was blocked and later arrested. He spent his night at the Eldama Ravine police cells.
Moi released a statement over the incident saying it was a disturbing display of state repression where security agencies attempted to obstruct the staging of “Echoes of War” by Butere Girls High School today at the 2025 National Drama and Film Festival through violent intimidation of the playwright Malala, in Rongai, Nakuru County.
“A pure form of artistic expression, the play is a bold and thoughtful satire on the collapse of social services, entrenched patronage politics, and broken promises, reflecting the lived frustrations of our young people.”
“It must not be lost on Kenyans that this play was banned from proceeding to the national levels and it took judicial intervention to ensure its performance. This act of censorship evokes the 2013 ban of ‘Shackles of Doom, ’ also staged by the same institution and scripted by Hon. Malala,” said Moi.
He argued the incident is not isolated but a growing pattern of silencing dissent through extrajudicial means.
“Just days earlier, a rag-tag militia unleashed hooliganism at a place of worship in Kasarani, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was in attendance.”
“It is ironic that peaceful expression is criminalized while violence by elements allied to the state is either ignored or covertly encouraged,” said Moi.
He said Kenya prides itself on a robust Bill of Rights that guarantees freedom of expression.
“Yet, security agencies are deployed to suppress a high school play while turning a blind eye to lawlessness by armed gangs occupying public spaces.”
“This troubling trend signals a government that has lost touch with its people and is dangerously veering off course. The impact of rising economic hardships and growing public dissatisfaction cannot be resolved through intimidation and fear,” he said.
He also urged the government to undertake an honest self-assessment and realign its priorities with its core mandate by shifting and consolidating its focus toward impactful policy interventions in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
“Providing a conducive environment for private sector-led economic development and creating wealth through industrialization will ultimately unlock youth employment, enhance livelihoods and ensure peace and stability.”
“The young girls of Butere are not enemies of the state but the daughters of this nation. Rather than be punished for speaking the truth through art, they should be celebrated,” he said.
Police were deployed to the venue where the play was being played on Thursday April 10. Even journalists were barred from accessing the venue with only students and officials being allowed in.
The play was disqualified during the Western Region Drama Festivals under unclear circumstances.
A subsequent High Court ruling overturned that decision, reinstating the play and ordering its inclusion in the national lineup.
Following the court order, students who had already left for the April holidays were recalled to resume rehearsals.
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