Ogamba now blames Butere Girls for drama festival chaos
According to the CS, the students declined to perform on their own accord, says Malala was unqualified to attend
The ministry of Education has now shifted the blame to Butere Girls High School students for not performing their play ‘Echoes of War’ after being given a chance.
Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, refuted claims that the government barred the girls from performing the controversial play.
According to Ogamba, the students declined to perform on their own accord.
He stated that their director, Cleophas Malala, whom they wanted present before presenting their play, is neither a teacher nor a director of the school.
“The students were allowed to perform, but when they came to the stage and after the national anthem, one of them stepped forward and said they were not willing to perform without their director, Cleophas Malala, who is not a teacher or a director at Butere Girls’ High School. So, the students, at their own volition, decided not to participate,” The CS stated.
However, the claim by CS Ogamba is contrary to what ensued in the morning hours today.
The Butere Girls students were not allowed onto the stage with their props.
They lamented being frustrated by the police, who did not allow in the vehicle carrying their costumes, as they were being forced onto the stage two hours earlier than the required time.
Speaking to the media earlier today, Butere Girls High School lawyer Kennedy Echesa stated that the girls were ready, but the frustration with the Ministry of Education and the police made it hard for them.
He revealed that the play had been staged even earlier than the normal start time.
“The students came to Lions Academy with the motive of performing the play. They came following a court order which directed that they come together with their teachers and director to entertain the nation at the National Drama Festivals. When they got to the venue, different from other days, the organizers had planned to begin at 6:30 am. At that time, they had no props for their play, including décor, sound system, and costumes, because their vehicle, which had them, was not allowed in,” he explained.
The lawyer added that after waiting for almost two hours, it was they then got to the stage, performed the national anthem, and bravely explained why they could not perform.
“At 7:30, the costumes were not in, and at 8:00 am, they were forced to perform without the costumes, even though the normal programme begins at 8:30 am. At 8:30 am, they got to the stage, they performed the national anthem, and gave an explanation why they couldn’t perform,” he stated.
He added that after they left the stage and requested their driver to allow them to get water and snacks, they were tear gassed by the police, scattering them.
“They left and asked their driver to allow them to buy water, but they were dispersed by police officers using tear gas. What happened is a violation of the kids’ rights and the Constitution,” he said.
Echesa added that they’ll be moving back to court seeking arrest and penalization of Basic Education PS Julius Bitok, together with the Western region Education Director, for disobeying court orders.
“As lawyers, we will be going back to court to explain that the Western region Education Director and Basic Education Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, have refused to obey court orders. We will be asking the court to heavily fine them to be a lesson to them and those with such behaviors,” he added.
