Oscar Sudi Warns Against Politicizing Student Performances: “Protect Our Children from Selfish Political Agendas”

Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has broken his silence on the ongoing controversy surrounding the recent walkout and protest by students at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru, calling on parents and teachers to shield children from being used as pawns in political battles.

Speaking during a public engagement in Uasin Gishu County, Sudi condemned what he termed as the "deliberate politicization of school theatre", warning that involving students in politically charged narratives threatens national unity and undermines the core values of education.

“Parents and teachers should protect our innocent children from being used in political wars by selfish politicians,” said the outspoken MP. “Our children need to be mentored to engage in plays and theatre that bring out cohesion, not divisions.”

Sudi’s remarks come in the wake of widespread debate over the Butere Girls High School play Echoes of War, which was reportedly critical of the current government. The performance was pulled from the festival under unclear circumstances, prompting a student walkout and triggering national outrage over censorship and alleged police overreach.

While acknowledging the importance of creative expression, Sudi emphasized that schools must nurture national values and steer clear of partisan influence.

“Immersing children in dirty politics doesn’t echo unity for our country,” he said. “It only deepens divisions and breeds bitterness at a young age. That’s not the Kenya we want to build.”

He urged the Ministry of Education to provide clear guidelines on the content of school performances, ensuring that theatre and drama festivals remain platforms for learning, creativity, and cultural appreciation, rather than political battlegrounds.

Sudi’s statement adds to the growing national conversation on the role of students in activism and the limits of political messaging within school-sponsored programs. While many leaders have stood in solidarity with the protesting students, Sudi joins a faction of lawmakers urging restraint and a return to “educational discipline and focus.”

“Let’s not confuse the freedom of expression with the freedom to indoctrinate,” he said. “Let our schools remain sacred spaces for growth, learning, and unity.”

April 10, 2025