Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala has broken his silence after being detained at Eldama Ravine Police Station.
Speaking on Thursday, April 10, Malala expressed shock at the government’s response, criticising the deployment of police as a blatant suppression of freedom of expression and speech.
The former Senator lashed out at Ruto’s administration over its directive to send police to intimidate the students and the general public in Nakuru claiming that president Ruto is behind all the chaos.
Malala accuses President Ruto of being behind the Echoes of war storm. Photo: Courtesy.
Malala, once an insider of the state, insisted that the script had nothing to do with incitement as claimed by other politicians, pointing out that it was created to expose the rot in the society.
”It is a play that talks about the people and that is out to expose the plight of the young people. The young people here, the Gen Zs, are demanding good governance, demanding universal healthcare, accountability, among other things. This is just a play and has nothing to do with incitement. It is artistically created to expose the rot in our society,” he added.
He also revealed that since his apprehension on Wednesday night, no formal charges had been preferred against him.
He further pointed out that not even the Nakuru police leadership had briefed him on why he was being held at the station.
The former Kakamega Senator has also vowed to take legal action after Butere Girls’ High School failed to perform the play at the ongoing National Drama Festival.
Earlier today, drama was witnessed at National Drama Festivals after students staged protests, momentarily following the walkout of Butere Girls students.
The protest started after Butere Girls declined to perform the controversial play ‘Echoes of War’ amid drama and criticism surrounding the theme.
The girls were on the stage at around 8am, but instead of performing the play, they sang the national anthem and left the stage.
According to reports, while the girls were given the chance to perform the play, they were denied a string of other basic infrastructure meant to enhance their performance, like other schools, including microphones, props and other equipment.
While chanting ‘Ruto Must Go’, police lobbed tear gas inside Melvin Jones Academy, forcing tens of students back to their respective buses.
The controversy surrounding Echoes of War gained national attention on Wednesday, April 10, when Malala was arrested in connection with the play and he was later released.
