They say, Sanaa ni kio cha Jamii. However, what happens when the mighty attempt to put the art on a choke hold?

This is what is currently transpiring as Butere Girls controversial Play " Echoes of War" seems to have angered the powers that be.

The play which was written by former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala has become a national topic translating to how the girls are being treated at the 63^rd edition of the National Drama festivals in Nakuru.

When Mtaa Wangu visited Kirobon Girls on April 9, at around 3pm, where students from Butere girls were being accommodated, there was heavy police guard at the school’s entrance.

A group of police officers camp outside Kirobon girls school where students from Butere girls were accommodated on April 9,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Our assumption; the officers were here to ensure the safety of students being hosted at the school. We counted up to seven armed officers at the gate, all to ensure no one accessed the school upon scrutiny.

However, our presence at the school entrance seemed to agitate the officers and soon enough, after setting camp at the school gate for more than two hours, they demanded we exit the place.

Shockingly, the evening took a turn after Mr Malala made his way to the school wanting to rehearse the play, ahead of their performance today.

Journalists endure teargas smoke after police lobbed teargas to disperse them during the scuffle at Kirobon girls school on April 9,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

He was met by the same officers who told him he couldn't access the school. Soon after, more police and DCI officers were deployed and surrounded his vehicle.

Things quickly escalated and within seconds, journalists present to cover the unfolding of this unprecedented scenes found themselves as the target of the officers’ unwarranted wrath.

Over 30 police officers shifted their ammunition and lobbed tear gas at us.

In the process seven journalists were injured including myself, Citizen TV reporter and Camera person Maryanne Nyambura and Evans Asiba respectively, Inooro Tv reporter Robert Maina , KTN camera person Peter Kimani, reporter Kennedy Gachuhi and Standard newspaper reporter Caroline Chebet.

Whereas Joseph Kipsang's Standard camera was damaged.

Police engaged journalists in running battles for more than 30 minutes, before they managed to speed off with Malala.

A teargas cannister lodged by police to disperse journalists at the Kirobon girls entrance where students from Butere girls were sleeping on April 9,2025.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

These unfortunate events traumatized residents who came out in numbers shortly after the police left the premises.

They said the loud canister explosions had caused a scare to children from the neighbourhood as well as children who were being hosted at the school.

The play, which calls for accountability of the current government, is expected to be staged at Melvin Jones school from 8am.

Guns, teargas and an emotive school play

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Purity Kinuthia