Butere Girls High School took center stage at the 63rd National Drama Festival in Nakuru—not through performance, but through a peaceful yet powerful walkout that shifted the entire atmosphere of the event. Their silent protest sparked national outrage and ignited chants from the crowd, including “Ruto must go! No Butere, no drama!” as the public rallied in support of the students.
The Butere Girls were scheduled to perform their much talked about play “Echoes of War,” a powerful drama piece written by former senator Cleophas Malala. However, the girls say they were met with police harassment, an unprepared stage, and complete disregard for their efforts.
When they reached the stage, they found no sound system, no lighting, no decor, and no support for their performance. In response, the girls made a patriotic and peaceful statement—they stood in unity and sang the national anthem, then turned and walked off the stage.
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Crowds that had gathered to watch the performance were shocked, and soon staged protest in solidarity with the girls, chanting “No Butere, no drama!” and “Ruto must go!” as a sign of frustration over the mistreatment of the students and the politicization of the arts festival.
Parents, teachers, and human rights activists have condemned the incident, calling it a national shame. Many are questioning why school children, who had worked hard to prepare for a national event, were treated with such hostility.
Witnesses say police officers had earlier used tear gas near the venue and tried to block playwright Malala from accessing the students. The heavy-handed response has been seen as an attempt to silence the message behind the play, which touches on issues of leadership and social justice.
Despite the walkout, Butere Girls High School students have been widely praised across the country for their courage, unity, and peaceful stand. Social media has been flooded with support, with many demanding an apology from the Ministry of Education and calling for meaningful action.
The message from Kenyans is now unmistakable: Art holds power, and students should never be silenced.
