People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has condemned the government over the move to outlaw plays with political themes during the drama festivals.

Taking to her official X account on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Karua questioned why the government is afraid of schools presenting plays touching on politics during the annual festivals.

According to Karua, the new rule amounts to censorship, stating that politicians were uncomfortable and attempted to hide the truth that school-going children can have already seen.

Impact of politics to students

Karua questioned directives that discourage students from incorporating political themes in school drama and performances, noting that politics directly affects their lives and future prospects.

“The arts have always been Kenya’s mirror. When that mirror makes the powerful uncomfortable, the answer is not to break it. Why tell students not to speak about politics when it directly affects their lives and futures?” Karua stated.

“Censoring school drama protects those in power from the truth our children can already see.”

Karua stated that artistic freedom is key in a democratic nation, and therefore, she cautions the government that suppresses expression, particularly young people in the society, adding that it risks eroding accountability and openness.

“Mnaogopa nini, exactly? Artistic freedom is not a threat to Kenya; however, a government that silences its children is,” Karua stated.

Karua’s remarks come after reports emerged that a school had been disqualified during the competitions for mentioning ‘Singapore’.

In 2025, drama on the politicisation of the play emerged involving Butere Girls and the state. The school claimed that it was denied a chance to stage its play despite advancing to the national levels. This led to protests and uproar from a section of political leaders and the general public.

The Echoes of War was closely linked to DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, an avid critic of the government of the day.

The new guidelines

The guidelines of the 2026 Kenya Drama and Film Festivals Rules and Guidelines imposed a blanket ban on political content.

The rules dictate that school drama must not engage in politics directly or indirectly. This includes references to current leaders, governments, policies, or even symbolic representations that could be interpreted as political commentary.

The Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination Dennis Itumbi has dismissed claims that the government is “policing” student creativity, asserting that the guidelines for school drama festivals are long-standing and purely pedagogical.

Itumbi clarified that the rules regarding political content are not a knee-jerk reaction to current events, but rather a core part of the festival’s historical framework.