Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has joined the growing chorus of leaders condemning the controversial drama scandal at Butere Girls High School, where former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala allegedly coached students on a politically charged play, Echoes of War. In a passionate statement, Sudi slammed the incident as a dangerous misuse of the education system for political gain.
“Parents and teachers should protect our innocent children from being used in political wars by selfish politicians,” Sudi declared. “Our children need to be mentored to engage in plays and theatre that bring out cohesion, not divisions.”
Sudi’s remarks come just days after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba issued a scathing warning to school principals against inviting non-teachers to train students for co-curricular activities. Ogamba emphasized that hiring individuals not registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is not only illegal under the TSC Act of 2018 but also a breach of the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics 2015.
The Echoes of War scandal has stirred nationwide outrage after it emerged that Malala had allegedly altered the script during regional drama competitions to include politically provocative themes.
The Ministry of Education claimed these changes went against the rules of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, prompting the school administration to withdraw the play from the national level.
However, the matter escalated further when two courts—one in Kakamega and another in Kisii—ruled that the play should be performed at the national festival, defying the Ministry’s position and igniting a fierce national debate.
Oscar Sudi’s comments added a deeply emotional tone to the unfolding saga, calling for a united front to shield children from political manipulation. “Immersing children in dirty politics doesn’t echo unity for our country,” he said. “We must be vigilant. Drama and theatre are powerful tools to teach values, build confidence, and encourage national unity—not political rebellion.”
Sudi further urged school administrators to act with integrity and caution when selecting trainers or facilitators for student activities. “There are thousands of qualified, TSC-registered teachers across Kenya who can guide our students. Why bring in political actors with questionable intentions?”
The legislator also called on the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission to crack down hard on any schools or individuals found violating the regulations. He warned that if political infiltration into the classroom goes unchecked, the consequences could be disastrous for the country’s education system and social fabric.
“The youth are the future of this nation,” Sudi emphasized. “Let us not corrupt their minds with hate and division disguised as art. Let us use school activities to build a better, united Kenya.”
As the national drama festival approaches under this cloud of controversy, all eyes are now on Butere Girls and the Ministry of Education’s next move. Will this be a wake-up call for stricter enforcement, or will the lines between politics and education continue to blur? One thing is certain—this drama is far from over.
