Kenya, April 10 -- The 63rd Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals ground to a historic halt on Thursday evening as students from every participating school refused to take the stage, staging a mass boycott in support of Butere Girls High School.
The unprecedented walkout followed a day of chaos that saw police lob tear gas at the Butere Girls troupe, escalating tensions at Melvin Jones Hall in Nakuru.
The boycott began shortly after Butere Girls exited the festival without performing their controversial play, Echoes of War, opting instead for a silent protest on stage.
Their departure, met with tear gas and public outrage, appears to have galvanised other students, who declared they would not perform unless Butere Girls were allowed to return and stage their production unhindered.
"We stand with our sisters from Butere," said a student representative from Lenana School, speaking on behalf of the boycotting troupes.
"If they can't perform, none of us will. This isn't just about drama anymore-it's about fairness and freedom." Cheers erupted from gathered supporters as school after school echoed the sentiment, emptying the festival schedule.
The mass refusal threw the event into disarray, with festival organisers scrambling to respond. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who earlier this week had assured the public that Echoes of War would proceed, was not immediately available for comment.
Police maintained a visible presence around Melvin Jones Hall, though no further clashes were reported as the boycott unfolded peacefully.
The decision has drawn widespread praise from the public, with X lighting up in support of the students' stand. "All schools say NO to the stage until Butere Girls get justice.
This is Gen Z power," one post read, reflecting a swell of admiration for the unified action. Others hailed it as a turning point, with hashtags like #StandWithButere and #DramaForJustice trending nationwide.
The boycott marks a dramatic escalation in a week-long saga that began with attempts to ban Echoes of War, a play by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala exploring governance and the 2024 Gen Z protests.
After a court reinstated the production, police interventions-including barring journalists and tear-gassing students-only fuelled the controversy.
As night fell on Nakuru, the festival grounds stood silent, a stark contrast to the usual buzz of performances.
With no resolution in sight, the future of the 63rd Drama Festivals hangs in the balance, transformed from a showcase of talent into a battleground for student solidarity and free expression.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.