Rachel Ruto, Kenya’s First Lady and a proud alumna of Butere Girls High School, found herself at the heart of a controversy that unfolded at her former school. In June 2023, she had visited Butere Girls, praising the students for their academic and extracurricular dedication. Little did she know, her return would coincide with the drama surrounding Echoes of War, a play that would spark heated debates about governance and youth activism.
The students had worked hard on the play, but on the day of the performance, tensions flared. Missing decorations, costumes, and an incomplete soundtrack left the girls frustrated. They refused to take the stage, arguing that without these key elements, the powerful message of the play would be lost.
The situation escalated when former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala was confronted by police over the play’s political themes. At the same time, Ministry of Education officials arrived, giving the students just 15 minutes to begin the performance. The lights were switched off at the main stage, and the pressure mounted.
In the midst of this chaos, Rachel Ruto, having strong ties to the school, visited the campus again, offering her support. While she admired the students’ dedication, her presence added a layer of complexity, as the political themes of the play intersected with her own position. She encouraged the students to stay true to their vision but also reminded them of the broader political context.
Echoes of War became more than just a school production—it became a symbol of youth activism and a challenge to the status quo. The controversy surrounding the play made Butere Girls the epicenter of a national conversation about the role of art in political discourse and the courage of youth to speak out against injustice.
