President William Ruto has broken his silence on the ongoing controversy surrounding the actions of 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.
While attending an interdenominational church service in Elgeyo Marakwet, the President reiterated the importance of protecting learners across all educational institutions in the country, describing them as vital human capital for the nation’s future.
The Head of State stressed that safeguarding children from exploitation and harmful influences must be a national priority, even as his administration continues to make significant investments in the education sector.
> “We must equally protect all our children from paedophiles, from drug peddlers, and from those who want to corrupt our children and teach them to hate their parents, their teachers, their leaders, or their nation. We must protect children from such individuals,” the President said.
Although he did not directly mention Butere Girls—where students were reportedly barred from rehearsing and forced to begin their performance earlier than scheduled, sparking outrage—President Ruto made it clear that such incidents should not compromise the well-being and future of Kenyan students.
> “We are investing in education because education is what sharpens our human capital—the most important asset we have as a nation. That is why we are deploying resources in our schools, our TVETs, and our universities—because we want to harness the potential that exists in our human resources,” the President noted.
He also issued a call to action for educators, school administrators, and policymakers to ensure that learning institutions remain safe, nurturing, and free from negative external influences.
> “Teachers, instructors, and the managers of our education must make sure that every child in every school, TVET, college, or university gets the best opportunity,” Ruto stated.
President Ruto affirmed his government’s support for an inclusive educational environment that caters to diverse strengths—ranging from academics to the creative arts, sports, and technical skills—emphasising that this must be founded on inclusivity.
> “Every child deserves the best opportunity to become the best they can be. Some are good in academics, others in sports, others in the creative economy, others in the arts. We must, as a nation, ensure that all children are given the best range of opportunities,” he affirmed.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba, however, denied claims that the government had prevented Butere Girls from performing the Echoes of War play in Nakuru County.
He noted that the school management had breached Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regulations by inviting Cleophas Malala, a former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General and a non-teacher, to direct the play.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has filed a petition in court, seeking to compel the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival Committee to allow Butere Girls’ High School students to stage their play.
The commission argued that the actions of the respondents constituted a violation of their constitutional duty to promote, protect, respect, and fulfil the rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
> “The aforementioned absurd and malicious treatment has only been discriminatorily meted out against Butere Girls, as all other schools have performed or are due to perform with their chosen props and décor, and before an audience,” read the court papers.
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