Cleophas Malala Says 'Echoes of War' Play to be Staged Publicly, Top Kenyan Actors Invited to Audition
Cleophas Malala, the playwright behind the controversial ‘Echoes of War’ play, has announced that the play will be staged publicly by adult citizens.
Speaking after his release on Thursday, 10 April, Malala revealed that the motive for showcasing the play to the public was to allow people to understand its content and message.
“The play will now be performed by adult citizens who do not need permission to showcase the play. We will choose the best actors in Kenya and invite the public to watch this play so that they can clearly understand its message,” Malala asserted.
However, Malala did not go into detail about the location, date, or logistics of the play’s public staging.
The play has attracted significant attention after Butere Girls High School, the institution scheduled to present the piece at the Drama Festivals, was initially barred from performing it.
Centred around themes of politics, leadership and governance, the piece became the subject of public debate, with speculation rife that senior government officials were behind its censorship.
It was also allegedly the reason for the nabbing of Malala, the playwright, who was held at the Eldama Ravine Police Station.
On Thursday morning, students from Butere Girls opted to walk out of the festival, citing frustration and poor stage set-up.
This followed a decision by officers to block members of the public and the press from accessing Melvin Johns Hall Academy in Nakuru, where the performance was set to take place.
Tensions escalated when police reportedly lobbed tear gas canisters at students who were addressing the media after storming out of the event.
Set in the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates, the play explores a society on the brink of collapse due to a generational divide—one side clinging to tradition, the other pushing for change through innovation and technology.
Though fictional, the themes and dialogue in the play draw strong parallels with Kenya’s current political and social realities.
