Butere Girls High School Principal has released a show cause letter to the school’s drama festival teacher, Caroline Okumu under TSC No: 391957, concerning the controversial play that placed the school at logger head with the government.
In a letter released on March 25th , the principal said the information she possess indicates that the teacher presented a different play at the regional drama festivals held in Chavakali High school on March 22, from what was presented at the County level on March 18 at Bulimbo Girls High School.
The letter continues to read that during the Regional Drama festival, the teacher deliberately inserted scenes that were not in the original script presented to her.
“You are therefore asked to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for altering the original script to make the play reflect ant-government especially scenes of students (actors) displaying placards/banners with messages like ‘occupy space’ ‘SHA’ and ‘Cash cow’, the letter reads.
The Principal also asked the teacher to submit her written response to her office within seven days from the date of the letter, failure to which further disciplinary action shall be taken against her.
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In her response Caroline acknowledged the receipt of the show cause letter dated 25th March 2025, and submit her response admitting being of sound mind and in good physical health as she write the response.
Role in Drama Activities:
The teacher admitted that she serves as the teacher in charge of the school’s drama club, a role she have executed diligently in line with TSC expectations and co-curricular guidelines.
Scripting and Directing of the Play
Okumu clarified that she neither wrote the script nor directed the play adding that the authority was given to a non-staff member under the instruction of the school principal.
“While I hold the title of drama teacher, I wish to state that I neither scripted nor directed the said play in question. The authority to write and direct the play was given to a non-staff member—a former senator, Cleophas Malala—under your explicit instructions and supervision,” Okumu said in her response.
Obedience to Administrative Authority:
As a subordinate staff member, the teacher said, she refrained from interfering with the principal’s directive and avoided any acts of insubordination adding that she believed the external trainer’s involvement was a management-approved arrangement.
Responsibility for Content:
Okumu therefore said that she cannot assume the responsibility for the content, themes, or scenes inserted in the play as she was not involved in the creative or directive process.
“As I was not involved in the creative or directorial process, I cannot assume responsibility for the contents, themes, or scenes inserted into the play. These were introduced by the said external director,” she said.
Script Submission to KSSDF:
The teacher said that it is standard practice that the teacher in charge submits the script to the Kenya Secondary Schools Drama Festival (KSSDF) committee, which she did, adding that she submitted the script in the exact form as received from the external director, in compliance with the set timelines and submission procedures.
Professionalism and Integrity:
Okumu pledged of having consistently carried out her duties as a teacher and co-curricular leader with professionalism, respect for authority, and in the best interest of the learners and the institution.
In her conclusion she urged the principal to consider the above facts as truthful and given in good faith, promising to remain committed to her professional obligations and respectfully distance herself from decisions and outcomes that were beyond her scope of involvement.
The play “Echoes of war” was to be performed by the Butere Girls High School on April 10,but was marred by uncertainties after its script writer and director, Former Kakamega senator, Cleophas Malala was arrested.
The play was also disqualified during the western regional Drama festivals under unclear circumstances, though through a subsequent High Court ruling, reinstated it, ordering its inclusion in the national line up.
The controversial play has been a center of attention as its theme is on Kenya’s governance and the infamous Gen Z protest witnessed in 2024.
By Brian Ndigo
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