President William Ruto has broken his silence following a storm of controversy surrounding Butere Girls' play, Echoes of War.
The president was hosting the winners of the 63rd Kenya National Drama and Film Festival 2025 at the Nakuru State House for a State Concert.
Taking to his social media pages, Ruto issued a strongly worded statement, calling for the safeguarding of Kenya's children from harmful influences.
"We must protect our children from paedophiles, drug peddlers, and predators who seek to corrupt them with toxic ethnicity and divisive politics," the President posted.
Ruto's remarks come amid a fiery debate ignited by Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga's tweet questioning Cleophas Malala's conduct during a school drama competition in Nakuru.
Chidzuga wrote, "Ndugu Malala ulikuwa unafanya nini katika bweni la wanafunzi wa kike wa umri wa chini ya miaka 18 usiku bila idhini ya wahusika au wazazi?" (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?)
The post quickly triggered backlash online, with many accusing Chidzuga of making inflammatory and unsubstantiated allegations.
Online outrage was so intense that she later disabled the comment section on her X account.
The controversy follows a dramatic incident in Nakuru, where Malala, a playwright, was briefly detained by police during the 63rd Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.
His play, Echoes of War, performed by students of Butere Girls' High School, had earlier been disqualified under unclear circumstances, rumoured to be due to its perceived criticism of government leadership.
What followed was a student-led protest, with the young performers refusing to present the play even after being given a chance to return to the stage, citing solidarity with Malala.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also waded into the saga, questioning Malala's involvement in the competition.
"He is neither a teacher nor an officially registered director," Ogamba noted. However, no official report has substantiated Chidzuga's claims of misconduct.
In an attempt to clarify her position, Chidzuga later stated that the government had no problem with drama or artistic expression.
"Hatuna shida ya tamthilia, Cleophas Malala chapisha na chapisha hata zaidi, lakini usipite mipaka ya kutafuta umaarufu kwa kutumia watoto," (We have no issue with theatre-Cleophas Malala, publish and stage even more-but don't cross the line by seeking fame through children.), she said.
