Former Kakamega County Senator and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala has been arrested.

Malala in a video shared via his official social media accounts on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, revealed that over 50 police officers had been sent to pick him up for writing the script of the controversial play performed by Butere Girls High school titled Echoes of War.

Cleophas Malala questions arrest

Malala can be heard in the video questioning someone whom he addresses as a DCIO, questioning what crime had he committed by writing the play.

“I am now being arrested for scripting a play, ECHOES OF WAR. Shame!!!” Malala captioned his video.

“Imefika mahali Kenya mnaniarrest kwa sababu naandika play? Mnakuja na polisi hamsini, nimefanya makosa Gani? Kuandika? You are arresting me because of writing a play? What offense have I committed? Wewe ni DCIO, niambie, DCIO mnatumika kuarrest mtu ameandika play?” Malala is heard saying in the video.

The Echoes of War

The Echoes of war play was performed by Butere Girls High School during the high school Drama and Film Festivals.

However, the school faced a huge blow after the play was controversially dropped from the Western Regional winners’ gala, and the school’s drama club was instructed to send its members home, halting preparations for the national event.

This was despite the school’s strong performance, having won at the Butere Sub-County level and securing third place at the Western Regional Drama Festivals.

However, on April 3, Justice Wilfrida Okwany directed Butere Girls High School Principal, Jennifer Omondi, to recall the 50 students involved in the play for participation in the Nakuru event.

The judge also suspended any communication barring the school from taking part in the national festival.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok on Monday April 7 confirmed that students from Butere Girls High School will perform their play, Echoes of War, at the ongoing Kenya National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru County.

Speaking after officially opening the 63rd edition of the annual schools and colleges festival at Melvin Jones Hall in Nakuru, B Bitok assured the public that the students would showcase their presentation as planned.

“There were issues raised earlier, but they have been resolved. I don’t want us to dwell on them—I can assure the public that the play will go on,” said Bitok.

The play depicted the struggle for young people on civil liberties, including social justice and governance issues, among others that strongly resonates with Generation Z.

Set in the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates, the story follows a nation emerging from civil war, where young people are at the forefront of rebuilding institutions and advocating for improvements in healthcare, education, and justice systems.

The protagonist, Mustafa, is a final-year IT student who develops Telemedicine, a software that connects patients to doctors worldwide.

However, his involvement in the political discussions surrounding the past war, as reflected in his social media history, puts him at odds with the ruling authorities.

Another key character, Anifa Imana, is an artificial intelligence (AI) system that embodies both the benefits and dangers of technology in modern governance.

Through these elements, the play critiques the role of digital platforms in shaping political landscapes and highlights the power of youth in driving societal change.