Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has apologized for the teargassing of journalists who were covering the drama revolving around the Butere Girls play in Nakuru on Wednesday, April 9.
Speaking while in Lamu County, the CS noted that the incident would be investigated internally to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
“There was an unfortunate situation where a tear gas hit a journalist and it is regrettable. We apologize. It is not our intention to throw tear gas on our journalists,” the CS apologized
CS Murkomen Addresses the Butere Girls incidence. Photo: Courtesy.
According to the CS, the government was not keen on frustrating Butere Girls in staging their play.
While maintaining that the students had the right to speak their minds, he wondered why former UDA SG Cleophas Malala was the writer of the play.
He went on to note that the writing of the play ought to have been done by teachers of other non-political actors.
“Ask yourself, as a Kenyan, how is it possible that we have reached a level where a politician has become the writer of a play for students. He is using the students for politics. Even if you look down upon the government, we know that these schools have teachers. Let politicians leave the teachers to do their work and leave students out of our politics.”
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.
