Nakuru, Kenya – In an unprecedented turn of events, Butere Girls High School made history at the National Drama Festival by staging a silent protest instead of their highly anticipated play, Echoes of War. The girls, after enduring hours of frustration, walked onto the stage, sang the national anthem, and exited—leaving the audience in stunned silence.
Chaos Before the Curtains Opened
The drama began long before the performance. Scheduled to stage their play at 6:15 AM at Lions Primary School in Nakuru, Butere Girls faced multiple setbacks:
- Last-minute venue changes
- Alleged police harassment
- Missing costumes, soundtracks, and decorations
Despite pleas for fairness, Ministry of Education officials gave them a 15-minute ultimatum to proceed or forfeit their chance. Instead of performing under duress, the girls chose a powerful exit.
The Silent Protest That Shook Kenya
As the audience waited for Echoes of War to begin, the girls lined up and sang the Kenyan national anthem with solemn pride. Then, one student stepped forward, delivering an emotional speech:
*”As Butere Girls, the only play we have for our country Kenya is the national anthem we just sang. Butere Girls will stand strong, and the message of *Echoes of War* will find another platform. God bless Kenya.”*
Tears streamed down their faces as they walked offstage, leaving the hall in complete silence.
CS Julius Migos Dissolves School Board
Hours later, Education CS Julius Migos made a shocking announcement—dissolving Butere Girls’ Board of Management for allegedly violating TSC regulations. Reports indicate the school invited Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, a non-teacher, to direct the play.
Ironically, in 2018, Malala’s script led Kakamega High School to victory in the same festival. Critics argue the move was politically motivated, especially since Echoes of War is rumored to tackle governance and corruption.
Public Outrage and Support
Kenyans have taken to social media, hailing the girls’ bravery:
- “Butere Girls just taught us the real meaning of resistance!” – @WakiliEchesa
- “If a play is too powerful to be staged, then Kenya has a bigger problem.” – @MzalendoComment
- “Why dissolve the board instead of addressing the real issues?” – @EduRightsKE
What Was Echoes of War About?
While the play was never performed, sources claim it was a hard-hitting critique of war, leadership, and societal decay. The fact that it was shut down has only fueled speculation.
What Next for Butere Girls?
The school’s future in drama competitions remains uncertain. However, their bold stand has already made them national symbols of courage.
Final Thoughts
Butere Girls didn’t just walk out—they staged a silent revolution. In a country where freedom of expression is often stifled, their defiance through the national anthem sends a message louder than any play.
Will the Ministry address their grievances, or is this another case of silencing dissent? Only time will tell.
