Relief for Butere Girls as court lifts ban on Gen Z-themed play
The court was informed that the school has already sent students home – including those taking part in the play – for the April holidays, denying them a chance to rehearse for their play titled Echoes of War.
Butere Girls High School students have an opportunity to stage their Gen Z-themed play during the National Drama Festivals following the intervention of the High Court.
Justice Wilfrida Okwany directed Butere Girls High School Principal, Jennifer Omondi, to recall the 50 learners taking part in the festival to be staged in Nakuru from April 7 to 15.
The court was informed that the school has already sent students home – including those taking part in the play – for the April holidays, denying them a chance to rehearse for their play titled Echoes of War.
Justice Okwany suspended any letter sent to the principal banning or barring Butere Girls High School from participating in the festival.
The judge directed the applicant – Ms Anifa Mango – to serve the court documents to the principal, the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival Committee, the Basic Education Principal Secretary and the Attorney-General.
Ms Mango, a former student of the school, said the students were allowed to go home on March 30. She added that the decision was meant to deny the girls a chance to participate in cultural and artistic event, thus going against the Children’s Act and the international laws on the rights of the child.
“The exclusion of the 50 students from the festival has caused them emotional distress, humiliation and a loss of opportunity to showcase their talent,” she said.
Ms Mango added that the school presented the play that was adjudicated at sub-county, county and regional levels, earning a rare opportunity to stage it in the finals.
“I know from experience as an actor that the play stands a high chance of making it to the podium at the national level,” Ms Mango said.
She added that the content of the play is largely a demonstration of the plight of the young generation – commonly known as Gen Z.
Coincidentally, Ms Mango was part of the cast of the play "Shackles of Doom" that was banned by Ministry of Education in 2013, but later allowed to perform at national level following the intervention of the court.
The case will be mentioned for directions today.