Cleophas Malala Defends Night Drama Rehearsals for Butere Girls, Claims Festival Sabotage
Former Kakamega Senator and renowned playwright Cleophas Malala has strongly defended his decision to train the Butere Girls’ High School drama team during nighttime hours, citing alleged sabotage at the ongoing National Drama Festival.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, April 14, Malala explained that the school’s drama team, which had travelled all day from Butere, arrived in Kerobon at around 4 PM, only to be denied permission to rehearse.
“We had to train the girls at night because they had travelled all day. When they arrived, they were locked in a room and told not to rehearse. They were scheduled to perform the following day at 6 AM,” Malala said.
He further questioned the unusual scheduling of the performance, claiming it was part of an attempt to frustrate the school’s participation.
“In the history of drama festivals, no item has ever been performed at 6 AM. This was a strategic move to ensure Butere Girls were denied their rights to present. What kind of leadership is this that is competing with innocent girls?” he asked.
Response to Script Alteration Claims
Malala also addressed claims by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba that the script for the Butere Girls’ play, Echoes of War, had been altered without approval.
“I wrote this script and gave my word to the cast that we would keep to it with minimal changes. It was reviewed and approved by nine adjudicators from the Ministry of Education,” Malala stated.
“At what point did they start seeing changes? If there’s an issue with the content, they should come to me. I wrote Echoes of War, and I directed it.”
Chidzuga’s Dormitory Allegation Sparks Online Debate
Malala’s explanation follows public scrutiny sparked by Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga, who questioned his presence in a girls’ dormitory at night.
“Brother Malala, what were you doing in the dormitory of female students under 18 at night without the permission of the relevant authorities or parents?” Chidzuga asked in a widely circulated video on April 11.
The situation has triggered a heated debate online, with some Kenyans defending Malala’s dedication to the arts and others questioning the propriety of his actions.
