Security officers on Thursday morning were forced to lob tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered in protest of the treatment accorded to the Butere Girls High School drama team that was scheduled to perform Thursday morning.
Butere Girls students were caught in the crowd and were forced to rush back to their bus, and some fell in the process.
“Funga dirisha, funga dirisha,” some were heard shouting.
“Wanatupiga teargas kwa nini.”
The students were expected to perform their controversial play “Echoes of War” said to have been scripted by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.
They, however, declined, demanding the release of Malala, who is the play director.
The Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival is being held at Kirobon Girls High School in Rongai subcounty, Nakuru.
On Wednesday night, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds that had gathered to witness a stand-off between Malala and the police outside the school.
This year’s event, taking place between April 7 and 15, is themed “Leveraging Technology to Nurture Talent While Inculcating Value for Social Prosperity”.
The 63rd edition of the annual festival opened to a great start at Melvin Jones International School, with the government urging creators to monetise their talent.
Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok was the chief guest during the official opening on April 7.
by FELIX KIPKEMOI
