Nairobi — Ragged Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has been released from Eldama Ravine Police Location, where he became once held overnight following his arrest in connection with the controversial play Echoes of Battle.
Malala’s liberate became once confirmed by DAP-Kenya social gathering leader Eugene Wamalwa, who said he had individually secured the used lawmaker’s freedom on Friday.
Malala had been transferred from Nakuru Central Police Location to Eldama Ravine on Thursday evening.
“Just secured the release of our brother @Cleophasmalala from Eldama Ravine Police Station in Baringo County,” Wamalwa tweeted, adding that Malala had been unfairly targeted for simply scripting a play that speaks reality to vitality.
Malala, the scriptwriter of the controversial Echoes of Battle play, became once arrested on Thursday evening below unclear cases and transferred from Nakuru Central Police Location.
His detention sparked nationwide outrage, with leaders and Kenyans online condemning the instruct for what they called an assault on creative freedom.
Malala’s arrest, broadly considered as a crackdown on freedom of expression, came correct hours earlier than Butere Girls High College became once scheduled to gain Echoes of Battle at the now-suspended Kenya National Drama and Film Competition in Nakuru.
The play, which critiques governance screw ups and amplifies the voices of Know-how Z, has faced a pair of makes an are trying at censorship, including an earlier disqualification overturned by the courts.
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Following Malala’s arrest and heightened safety interference, Butere Girls staged a highly effective still inform on Thursday by singing the nationwide anthem and exiting the stage with out performing.
Open air the venue, chaos erupted as police reportedly fired teargas at college students and journalists.
The authorities has faced unusual criticism from civil society, political leaders, and human rights groups for using drive to suppress creative expression.
Malala, speaking to Spice FM while in detention, reiterated that the play became once a form of creative commentary, no longer incitement.
“This is just a play, and it has nothing to do with name-calling or incitement. It is artistically created,” he said.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with used Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and others condemning the train of drive against minors and artists.
Civil society groups possess furthermore called for accountability and an finish to the suppression of creative expression.
