Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua spoke out against the chaos in Nakuru today when security forces tried to arrest former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala.
Gachagua posted on social media that using criminal justice to shut down creativity has reached scary levels. He said it was deeply shameful that many DCI detectives with five vehicles came to arrest and scare Senator Malala just for writing a script that made it to the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
Malala wrote a play called Echoes of War that earned a spot at the festival but became a big political fight. Gachagua believes this shows how the government misuses its power to silence artists. He explained that the play itself isn't harmful - it's just creative writing that some people feel threatened by. He added that the police can harass Malala, but his message will live on, and actions like this only make more people aware of the play and what it says.
Gachagua thinks the government should listen to critics rather than scare them and should see how art helps keep leaders honest. He said scaring artists doesn't work because their message spreads even further.
Earlier today, Malala said that DCI officers arrested him as he helped Butere Girls High School students practice for their Thursday show. A video showed Malala arguing with police officers outside Kirobon Girls High School, where the National Drama Festivals happen. Officials had stopped Butere Girls from performing because the play criticizes the government, but a judge canceled that ban on April 3 and said the school could join the festival.
Gachagua posted on social media that using criminal justice to shut down creativity has reached scary levels. He said it was deeply shameful that many DCI detectives with five vehicles came to arrest and scare Senator Malala just for writing a script that made it to the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
Malala wrote a play called Echoes of War that earned a spot at the festival but became a big political fight. Gachagua believes this shows how the government misuses its power to silence artists. He explained that the play itself isn't harmful - it's just creative writing that some people feel threatened by. He added that the police can harass Malala, but his message will live on, and actions like this only make more people aware of the play and what it says.
Gachagua thinks the government should listen to critics rather than scare them and should see how art helps keep leaders honest. He said scaring artists doesn't work because their message spreads even further.
Earlier today, Malala said that DCI officers arrested him as he helped Butere Girls High School students practice for their Thursday show. A video showed Malala arguing with police officers outside Kirobon Girls High School, where the National Drama Festivals happen. Officials had stopped Butere Girls from performing because the play criticizes the government, but a judge canceled that ban on April 3 and said the school could join the festival.
