BY KEPHER OTIENO
Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has expressed deep concern over the recent performance of the play Echoes of War, scripted by former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala and staged by Butere Girls High School. The PS criticized the play as a thinly veiled attempt to mock the National Executive under the guise of artistic expression, warning against the infiltration of political agendas into academic institutions.
Speaking firmly on the matter, Dr. Omollo emphasized the importance of preserving schools and classrooms as apolitical spaces focused on nurturing young minds, free from external ideological influences.
“Let’s keep politics out of our schools,” Omollo stated. “We will not allow disgruntled politicians to use learning institutions as platforms to sow seeds of division or instill negative values in our children. Schools are not battlegrounds for political expediency—they are sanctuaries for learning, growth, and character formation.”
He cautioned that politicizing education threatens not only the integrity of academic spaces but also undermines national cohesion. According to the PS, the government is committed to safeguarding the management of schools from undue political interference.
“There is a space for politics, and it’s certainly not in our classrooms or within extracurricular programs designed to nurture and inspire students,” he added.
Dr. Omollo also underscored the importance of upholding national values as the cornerstone of a united, ethical society.
He stressed that reverence for individuals who have contributed meaningfully to the country’s leadership and heritage is vital to maintaining a sense of identity and pride.
“National values are the foundation of our moral compass. Honouring those who have played significant roles in shaping our nation reflects our respect for tradition, service, and legacy,” he noted.
“It is through such respect and acknowledgment that we sustain the continuity of our cultural and historical roots.”
Omollo also touched on the government’s efforts in the education sector, revealing that the state has hired 76,000 new teachers within the first 20 months of the Kenya Kwanza administration. He emphasized that the government remains committed to recruiting even more educators to address the long-standing gaps in the country’s education system.
“This administration is committed to human capital development. We recognize that education and security are the twin pillars of national transformation, and we are investing heavily in both sectors to secure Kenya’s future,” he explained.
The event was attended by top security chiefs from the region, area Member of Parliament Shakeel Shabbir, NG CDF chairman Olago Aluoch and other national and local leaders, all of whom hailed the new police station as a boost to security and service delivery in Kisumu East Constituency..
IG Douglas Kanja, Deputy Elija Langat, a host of MCAs and UDA officials from Nyanza were present.
