Cleophas Malala: The playwright behind controversial Echoes of War, Shackles of Doom plays

Before the fiery political debates, Senate drama, and headlines, Cleophas Malala’s world was ruled by lights, scripts, and standing ovations. 

Long before politics called, Malala was a playwright and actor, immersed in Kenya’s theatre scene, where he earned admiration for his creativity, wit, and commitment to storytelling.

Born and raised in Kakamega, Malala was raised in a family of four and by a strict adherent of the Anglican church.

The former senator and United Democratic Alliance party’s (UDA) is a thespian with qualifications in linguistics and literature. 

His passion for theatre was nurtured during his days in Friends School Kamusinga, after which he founded a drama group known as New Era Thespians. His vision then was to professionalise theatre in schools.

His first play to be performed at the National Drama Festivals was The Shield by Vihiga Boys High School. 

Others include The Dirge of Port Florence, Doomsday, The Last Convict, and The Gospel of Father Calistus. With the growing list of plays, Malala’s star continued to rise.

During the 59th edition of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, two of his scripted plays took first and second place overall—one performed by Kakamega High School and the other by Butere Girls.

But in 2013, he made headlines with his controversial play Shackles of Doom, which ruffled many feathers. Written and directed by Malala, the play depicted Kenya’s complex ecosystem of inequality.

After a court battle that eventually cleared it for performance, the 48-minute play made it to the National Drama Festivals in Mombasa in April 2013, held under the theme “Performance for National Healing and Reconciliation.”

While supporters praised Malala for his boldness in tackling sensitive issues, critics accused him of exploiting the students of Butere Girls High School—who performed the play—for his own political gain, and of promoting tribalism by targeting a specific community.

Over a decade later, Malala is facing a similar predicament with his play Echoes of War, which now hangs in the balance after Butere Girls declined to perform it.

The school had initially been banned from staging the play, but the High Court directed both the school and the scriptwriter to present it—only for Malala to be arrested thereafter.

His lawyer and long-time friend, Ken Echesa, describes him as a go-getter, referring to his drama heydays before his entry into politics.

“He runs his own consultancy on communication, imaging and PR. He is regionally acclaimed for crafting and directing plays not only in Kenya but across the region,” Echesa says.

Echesa also reveals that Malala’s networks with churches are what propelled him into the world of politics.

“Cleophas is a self-made politician. He is an Anglican by faith, and part of the reason why he mobilized well to join politics was his networks with churches—especially his Anglican church. He has been brought up by very religious parents,” he says.

In a past interview, Malala revealed that he draws inspiration for his scripts from daily interactions, saying, “As a politician I interact with many people. I feel their pain and analyse their aspirations. These are the very stories I write.”