Kenya's Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has endorsed the government's new rules banning political content in school drama festivals. The guidelines target the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival starting today at Kagumo Teachers Training College in Nyeri County. Cotu says the measures protect students from political exploitation.
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has announced its support for the government's regulation of content at school drama festivals. In a statement signed by Secretary General Francis Atwoli, the organisation said the guidelines are essential to protect learners from political exploitation.
"In supporting this move, we do not negate the critical role that creative arts play in nurturing talent, critical thinking, and self-expression among young people, but simply affirm that such platforms must not be abused to advance political agendas at the expense of the welfare and development of learners," the statement read.
Cotu warned of a growing trend of politically influenced scripts that manipulate students. "We are particularly concerned that some plays, over the years, have increasingly adopted themes that are divisive, deceptive, and disruptive, with little regard for the psychological well-being and academic progression of the learners involved," it added.
The debate follows controversy at this year's Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, where Head of Presidential Special Projects Dennis Itumbi denied reports that a school play was blocked for political content, insisting existing guidelines have long limited overt political messaging. Last year, Butere Girls' 'Echoes of War' sparked uproar, and President William Ruto urged politicians to leave children out of politics.