Kapseret MP Hon. Oscar Sudi has found himself at the center of a social media storm after his comments on the controversial play Echoes of War by Butere Girls High School sparked widespread backlash.
The MP’s post on X, where he urged parents and teachers to shield children from being used in ‘political wars by selfish politicians,’ drew sharp criticism from netizens who have challenged his understanding of literature and his right to comment on the matter.
In his post, Sudi stated, “Parents and teachers should protect our innocent children from being used in political wars by selfish politicians. Our children need to be mentored to engage in plays and theatre that bring out cohesion, not divisions. Immersing children in dirty politics doesn’t echo unity for our country.”
Parents and teachers should protect our innocent children from being used in political wars by selfish politicians.
Our children need to be mentored to engage in plays and theatre that bring out cohesion, not divisions.
Immersing children in dirty politics doesn’t echo unity…
— Hon Oscar Sudi (@HonOscarSudi) April 10, 2025
The remarks were in response to the banning of Echoes of War from the National Drama Festival, a play widely interpreted as a critique of the Kenyan government, which led to protests, police intervention, and the arrest of its playwright, Cleophas Malala.
However, Sudi’s comments did not sit well with many Kenyans, who quickly turned the conversation into a scathing critique of the MP’s educational background and grasp of literature.
The post, which has since garnered significant attention, became a lightning rod for netizens to express their frustration, with many accusing Sudi of lacking the intellectual depth to appreciate the artistic and social significance of the play.
One user took a direct jab at Sudi’s education, writing, “Had you stayed in school long enough to interact with set books, perhaps you would understand and even appreciate what Butere girls are doing through theatre. But then again, it’s hard to grasp the depth of literature when you haven’t even made it past the first chapter of your own education.”
Another user, @AlinurMohamed_, said, “ I don’t blame you. If you read a setbook in high school, you would have understood.”
@Nyandia_G was equally brutal, stating, “Spell Drama.”
Another one stated, “Ngoja wenye walienda shule waongee. Tukitaka advice ya makanga tutakuita,” which translates to “Wait for those who went to school to speak. If we want advice from a tout, we’ll call you.”
@joekimmy94 wrote, “You and l both know you didn’t write all this English. Namaanisha hii kizungu yote sio yako. Ebu type na kinandi.”