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{
    "id": 1554609,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1554609/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 73,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Butere, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Nicholas Mwale",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding the disruption of the performance of ‘Echoes of War’ – a play by Butere Girls High School – at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru County by the National Police Service. In February 2025, Butere Girls High School, in participation in the 2025 National Drama Festivals, presented a play titled ‘Echoes of War’ which successfully progressed through the sub-county, county and regional levels and was, thereafter, approved to proceed to the national level. Despite this progress, apparently, the play elicited much unjustifiable concern that led to it being banned. The High Court lifted the ban and the play was reinstated for performance at the National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru. Unfortunately, on 9th April 2025, on the eve of the presentation of the play at the national level, the Director of the “Echoes of War” play, Hon. Cleophas Malala, was allegedly arrested in Nakuru County under unclear circumstances hence disrupting preparations for the performance. Today morning, Butere Girls was prevented from staging the play. Anti-riot police officers were deployed to the venue and they allegedly lobbed teargas at students who were preparing to perform. Members of the public were also denied access to the venue. This situation raises serious concerns regarding the freedom of expression enshrined in Article 33 of the Constitution and the role of security agencies in protecting constitutional rights and freedoms. As the court noted in the case of banning the “Shackles of Doom” play, a ban such as the one imposed by the Kenya National Drama Festival constitutes a limitation of freedom of expression. The producers and students of Butere Girls have invested time, talent and effort in the development and performance of their play. The action of denying the students the opportunity to perform, and barring members of the public from accessing the venue of the festival, not only undermines the right to artistic creativity but also limits constitutional freedoms. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the following: 1. A report on the incident at the National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru, including reasons for the deployment of anti-riot police and use of excessive force. 2. Steps that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration is taking to ensure that law enforcement agencies protect and do not infringe on the rights of citizens, particularly children, in line with the Constitution. 3. Measures the ministry is taking to prevent future violations of artistic freedoms in educational spaces and to guarantee that students and their creative producers are not intimidated or threatened."
}