The power of theatre: ‘Echoes of War’ joins plays that have faced similar fates since Jomo Kenyatta era

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” An excerpt from William Shakespeare’s play ‘As You Like It’ written in 1599.

Just like in the controversial ‘Echoes of War’ play by former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala, the playwright was at it again exactly 12 years ago, when he penned ‘The Shackles of Doom’ play, which hit the headlines, forcing the government to pull the plug before the National Secondary Schools’ Drama Festivals Gala in April 2013 in Mombasa County.

The gripping 48-minute play, which was also staged by Butere Girls High School then, depicted a fictitious community known as the True People of Kana, an allusion to the Turkana community, who complained about exploitation by a wealthy community from the Mt. Kenya region.

The dominant tribe, who purchased the True People of Kana’s lands, built a Mafuta oil refinery before giving the natives menial jobs.

“I was just trying to expose the evil deeds in the society. The word ‘Shackles of Doom’ came to my mind and worked so well,” says Malala.

It took the intervention of then-activist, now Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, to save the play.

“I filed Petition No. 192 of 2013, and the High Court, in a decisive ruling by Justice David Majanja, affirmed that students have the right to speak, to challenge, and to create. The ban was struck down,” stated Omtatah.

Just over 10 years after the country got its independence, celebrated writer Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s play ‘I Will Marry When I Want,’ produced in 1977, which portrayed post-colonial struggles, was shot down as soon as it was staged. Officers in President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s government were unhappy with its content.

Playwright Peter Amunga says: “Walikuwa wanaongelea mwanasheria Charles Njonjo ambaye alikuwa ameoa wakati huo akisema niko na mamlaka. Iliibua tumbo joto yule Ngugi wa Thiong’o akitoroka akaenda uhamisho.”

The controversial play made a comeback two years ago, after it was banned again 30 years earlier.

And just like his predecessor, Kenya’s second president Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, also showed his phobia for critical theatre, shooting down the ‘Makwekwe’ (loosely translated to ‘Weeds’) play written by Tim Wandiri. As was practice those days, the teacher of drama would later lose his job.

In 1982, the government slammed the breaks on two other plays. ‘Visiki’ (translated to ‘Tribulations’) by Khaemba Ongetti and acted by Chepterit Girls' School, and ‘Kilio’ (‘A Cry’) acted by Nairobi School. The list goes on and on.

And now ‘Echoes of War,’ which has sent shockwaves across the nation due to its thought-provoking nature, has faced similar challenges, raising concerns that the country was sliding back to the dark ages.

Veteran Lawyer Gitobu Imanyara says: “I still bear the scars of Nyayo House and I will take medicine for life but that’s a small price to pay. We need to learn from history, from those who have gone through this and remind William Ruto that when he was in YK-92 fighting against us, we fought successfully and repealed Section 2A and gave Kenyans a new Constitution.”

“The 2013 ruling stands as a reminder that no government can silence the voices of the youth and its citizens,” adds Omtatah.

Imanyara says: “You don’t run away from yourself. Drama is you. Act I, as Amunga, I can’t run from myself.”
Amunga, on his part, says: “President, read the signs. Mandela said, the price of freedom is vigilance.”