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The principal of Butere Girls High School has issued a show-cause letter to a teacher over alleged unauthorized modifications to the school play Echoes of War.
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According to a letter seen by The Star, the principal accuses the teacher of altering the original script, which had been approved for performance. The teacher is required to explain why disciplinary measures should not be taken against them.
The letter, dated March 25, states that changes were made to the script that introduced anti-government themes during the Regional Drama Festival held at Chavakali High School on March 22, 2025. These alterations reportedly deviated from the version staged earlier at the County Festival at Bulimbo Girls High School on March 18.
The principal pointed to scenes where student performers carried placards with phrases like “Occupy Space”, “SHA”, and “Cash Cow”, which she argued conveyed political messages critical of the government.
“You are hereby required to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for modifying the approved script to incorporate anti-government content,” the letter reads.
The teacher has been given seven days to submit a written response, failing which further disciplinary measures may follow. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary, relevant TSC County and Sub-County Directors, and the school’s Board of Management chairperson.
The incident has ignited debate on artistic freedom, censorship, and the role of political discourse in school drama.
Controversy around the play deepened after it was initially banned due to its themes of governance, technology, and youth activism. However, the High Court later overturned the ban, allowing the performance to go on.
Tensions rose further when the play’s author, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, was reportedly detained, prompting a student boycott until his release.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen later clarified that the government had no objections to the play’s content but was concerned about political figures engaging directly in school activities. He stressed the need to keep education free from political influence and promised action against any misconduct by officials.
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