NAIROBI, KENYA — The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged forceful intervention by police officers during a scheduled performance of the play Echoes of War by students of Butere Girls High School.
FIDA-Kenya has called upon the National Police Service (NPS) and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct and abuse of authority by the involved police personnel.
According to the federation, the actions of the police officers disrupted the students’ performance and jeopardized their safety. FIDA-Kenya insists that Ipoa must initiate disciplinary measures against any police officers found culpable for these actions.
“Ipoa should also publish a report on the outcome of the investigation since it involves children,” FIDA-Kenya stated in a press release.
“These unfortunate actions against the students of Butere Girls violate the following constitutional provisions on the freedoms and rights of the children: Article 28, Article 33(1)(b), Article 36, Article 37, and Article 53,” the federation further asserted.
FIDA-Kenya has also urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that Butere Girls are allowed to perform their play in accordance with the instructions outlined in the court order and to prevent any recurrence of such violations in future events.
The organization has called on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to urgently reassure the Kenyan public that the rights of children are protected under the constitution and that any infringement of these rights will not be tolerated.
FIDA-Kenya highlighted that a court order had affirmed the students’ right to stage their play, yet police officers continued to obstruct and intimidate them.
“Reports from top media houses confirm that the students were barred from rehearsing the play yesterday. This morning, the students were made to begin the play much earlier than the official starting time. Once in the performance hall, they were surprised to find no public address system, audience, or costumes for the performance, as should be the norm,” FIDA-Kenya detailed.
The federation further stated that the students, faced with these unacceptable conditions, refused to perform and peacefully left the performance area.
“Once outside, police officers lobbed tear gas at the students who were now being interviewed by journalists. The chaos that followed saw the girls flee in panic, some becoming separated from their teachers and school bus,” FIDA-Kenya reported.
The organization affirmed its solidarity with the students of Butere Girls High School, commending their courage in the face of intimidation as a testament to the resilience and strength of young women.
“We remain committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls and ensuring that no child in Kenya is ever subjected to such unlawful and traumatic experiences,” FIDA-Kenya concluded.
