A week after the shocking teargassing of Butere Girls High School students during the National Drama Festivals in Nakuru, the government has finally spoken out. Dennis Itumbi, Head of Creative Economy and Presidential Special Projects, issued a heartfelt public apology, marking the first official acknowledgment of the disturbing incident.
Speaking on Citizen TV during a live broadcast on Wednesday night, Itumbi took full responsibility on behalf of the government, addressing the students, their school, and the wider public with a somber and sincere tone.
“Let me take this opportunity, with the full sleeves and honors of the government, to apologize to all the girls of Butere Girls for the teargas that was fired at them. I sincerely apologize,” he stated.
He went further to admit that the government failed not only in protecting the students but also in ensuring they got a fair opportunity to perform their play Echoes of War on the national stage — a performance they had tirelessly prepared for over months.
“We are not only sorry for the teargas but also for not managing this to the very end,” Itumbi added. “I promise to sit down with my team and come up with remedies for what can be done.”
As the official tasked with overseeing the creative economy, Itumbi’s apology was not just a personal gesture, but an institutional acknowledgment that the system had failed to safeguard artistic expression and protect young talent.
Addressing swirling rumors of punitive action against the school’s leadership, Itumbi clarified that no one was being targeted for the play’s content.
“If my facts are correct, the principal at Butere Girls is actually going to retire sometime this year, in two months. She has had a stirring career as a teacher, and we will allow her to finish her call of duty,” he said.
Itumbi, a playwright himself, praised the girls for their bravery and passion for the arts. He emphasized that their performance — though silenced — had ignited a much-needed national conversation on how Kenya treats its young creatives.
What Led to the Apology?
The apology followed chaotic scenes on April 9, when Butere Girls were scheduled to perform Echoes of War at the National Drama Festivals. Upon arrival, they found key elements of their performance missing — including props, a PA system, and most notably, their director, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who had been arrested earlier that day.
In protest, the students sang the national anthem and exited the stage — a powerful, peaceful act of defiance. Moments later, police lobbed teargas into the crowd, triggering panic and scattering students and onlookers.
The backlash was immediate. Civil society groups, artists, educators, and citizens across the country condemned the heavy-handed response. What was meant to be a national celebration of art had turned into a symbol of state suppression.
About the Play: Echoes of War
At the center of the storm is Echoes of War, a bold theatrical piece written by Cleophas Malala. The play explores the human cost of political conflict and challenges the silence of leadership in times of crisis. Its raw and fearless message is believed to have unsettled certain quarters, potentially sparking the crackdown that followed.
In the wake of the drama, Malala has vowed to restage Echoes of War with an adult cast and release it online — uncensored and unfiltered — to ensure its powerful message reaches the public.
A Turning Point for Kenya’s Creative Youth?
While the Butere Girls were unjustly denied their moment on stage, Itumbi’s apology represents a significant step toward accountability. More importantly, it could mark a turning point in how the government supports — rather than silences — young creatives.
The hope now is that this painful moment becomes the catalyst for change, where Kenya learns to celebrate and protect the voices of its youth, especially when they speak truth through art
