Ruto: 'Echoes of War' play was a plot to corrupt children's minds

President William Ruto has claimed that the Butere Girls High School play “Echoes of War” was a choreographed plot designed to brainwash the country’s children against their leaders.

It was the first time the Head of State addressed the State’s controversial decision to stop the performance during the National Drama and Film Festivals in Nakuru last Thursday.

The police action—lobbing teargas at students and halting the play at Kirobon Girls High School—sparked national outrage and drew international attention. Traumatised and in tears, the students of sang the national anthem and exited the stage.

Speaking yesterday during a Sunday service at Kapng’etik African Inland Church in Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, President Ruto said individuals with no role in managing schools and guiding students should not brainwash learners.

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In a veiled attack at the play’s writer, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Ruto said the production was misleading students and encouraging them to disrespect authority.

The President vowed to shield children from what he described as dangerous influences.

“We must equally protect all our children from paedophiles, drug peddlers and those who want to corrupt our children and teach them to hate their parents, their leaders or their nation,” Ruto said  in what appeared to be a defence of the State’s decision to block the performance.

He urged teachers and school managers to ensure children are offered opportunities in their areas of interest but must be protected from people he said were corrupting their minds.

He said the country was investing heavily in education and its children, and the education system should shape them into responsible citizens.

“The most critical asset that we have as a country is our human resource. Sh650 billion every year is spent on education. We are investing in education because it sharpens our human capital,” Ruto said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who had accompanied the president, criticised what he termed as failure by teachers to protect their students as selfish. “To those of us given the responsibility to guide children, let us be mindful of their moral integrity,” Murkomen said. He said children should be left to teachers, and other Kenyans keen to promote art should engage national theatres.