1 week Ago By EDITORIAL DESK
Nairobi, 11 April 2025 — The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has condemned what it terms as unlawful and unconstitutional actions by police against students from Butere Girls High School during their attempt to perform the play Echoes of War at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru County. Despite a High Court ruling upholding the students’ right to perform, FIDA-Kenya says the learners were subjected to intimidation, harassment, and an orchestrated effort to sabotage their performance. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The play had earlier been controversially disqualified at the Western Region Drama Festival, but the court later reinstated it, ordering its inclusion in the national event.
On Wednesday, the students were barred from rehearsing, and on Thursday morning, they were forced to begin their performance earlier than scheduled. Upon entering the venue, they found it devoid of a public address system, audience, or costumes—standard provisions at such festivals. Refusing to perform under those conditions, the students peacefully exited the hall.
However, outside the venue, police officers reportedly lobbed teargas at the girls as they were being interviewed by journalists, triggering panic and confusion. Some students fled in different directions and were briefly separated from their teachers and school bus. FIDA-Kenya says the treatment of the students amounts to a violation of multiple constitutional rights, including human dignity, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, and children’s rights as guaranteed under Articles 28, 33(1)(b), 36, 37, and 53 of the Constitution.
“All students from Butere Girls who had been reported missing during the chaos have since been accounted for,” said FIDA-Kenya. Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala had earlier raised alarm over missing students but later confirmed the girls were found safe, having scattered for safety during the teargas incident. The organisation has called on the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch a swift investigation into the officers involved, take disciplinary action, and publish a report on the findings.
FIDA-Kenya also appealed to the Ministry of Education to uphold the court ruling by ensuring Butere Girls High School is allowed to perform Echoes of War , and urged the Ministry of Interior to reassure the public that children’s rights will be protected and not violated with impunity. The organisation applauded the students for their courage in the face of intimidation and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of girls and women in Kenya..
