Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a strong call to separate education from political theatrics, following the controversy surrounding Butere Girls High School’s play at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru County.
Speaking after an incident in which students and journalists were caught in a police-political scuffle, the CS apologized for the fracas and emphasized that education spaces must remain neutral zones.
“It is regrettable and I apologise. It’s not the intention of government to attack or hurt any journalist or citizen,” said Murkomen.
The CS expressed concern over growing attempts by political figures to use school platforms for political messaging, stating that the government would not allow students to be used as conduits for political expression.
“Let’s have a thick line between politics and education. Let’s spare our innocent school kids in this,” he asserted.
Murkomen also questioned the involvement of politicians in scripting student plays, arguing that curriculum development and content creation should remain under the oversight of professional educators.
“The teachers will stick to the language that is acceptable and teach the children the right ways as opposed to politicians,” he noted.
Condemning any use of excessive force during the incident, the CS promised a thorough investigation.
“We are going to investigate and establish if the incident was accidental or intentional and take action,” he said, adding, “We are duty bound to protect the rights of everyone and the freedom of expression.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to freedom of the press and legal due process, saying that any person arrested must be dealt with lawfully.
“The arrested individual should be subjected to the law and produced in court within 24 hours and if the probe is still on, released on bail as per the law,” Murkomen concluded.
