Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has dismissed reports that the Butere Girls High Board of Management (BOM) has been disbanded.

Speaking on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Nakuru, the Education CS refuted the reports, claiming that they were misleading to the public.

Ogamba argued that the fake story was created to generate more heat following the standoff between the government and Butere Girls over a controversial play, ‘Echoes of War.’

The CS maintained that he had no power to disband any board without following due process.

“That is a fake story; in fact, I highlighted that it is a fake story. Sometimes people write things and allocate them to someone else. I was in Mombasa; I have not banned any board,” he stated.

“Even if that were to happen, there has to be a process; there has to be investigations to find out what happened. You can’t just wake up and disband a board,” Ogamba affirmed.

Reviewing the issue

To further dispel the claims, CS Ogamba informed the public that the Butere Girls board was scheduled to convene a meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, and evaluate the whole situation regarding the play and what transpired thereafter.

He elaborated that the board will then issue a way forward.

“As we speak, they are having a meeting on Monday as a board to look at that whole issue,” CS Ogamba told reporters.

With fingers being pointed over the controversial play, CS Ogamba hinted at plans to review rules governing co-curricular activities and streamline the entire sector.

Earlier statement

In his statement on Thursday, April 10, 2025, CS Ogamba detailed that the students were provided the opportunity to perform the play but declined to do so of their own volition.

He added that the school’s management violated the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) regulations by inviting former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala, a non-teacher, to direct the play.

“The government did not stop Butere Girls from performing. Are you aware that the students were allowed to perform at 8am? When they came to the stage after the National Anthem, one of them said they are not willing to perform without their director, Mr Malala,” he stated.

“The ministry wishes to inform principals who invite non-teachers to their schools to train learners in co-curricula activities that they are in contravention of the TSC regulations as well as the rules and regulations for the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival.”

He added: “We cannot allow people to weaponise school children against authority. Let political wars be fought by politicians outside learning environments.”

Further Ogamba blamed the school for altering the initial script to include controversial comments.