Malala Announces New Play Titled Who Killed Amollo? After Echoes of War Controversy
Democracy for Citizens Party Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala has announced plans to stage a new theatrical production titled Who Killed Amollo?, reigniting debate over the intersection of art, politics, and freedom of expression in Kenya.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Wednesday, Malala said the upcoming play will be targeted at adult audiences and staged in a commercial theatre, marking a deliberate departure from Echoes of War, the controversial school play that thrust him into the national spotlight last year.
Malala explained that while Echoes of War remains an important work, his new production will explore a separate storyline and cast, focusing on mature themes intended for an adult audience. “At some point, I will showcase Echoes of War, which was banned previously. But now I am creating a play for adult minds, to be staged in a commercial theatre. The play is titled Who Killed Amollo?,” he said.
Pressed on whether the name “Amollo” in the title refers to former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, Malala declined to give a direct answer, insisting that the name should not be read literally. He maintained that the play’s title is symbolic and open to interpretation.
“Amollo is just a name like any other. Kenyans should not rush to personalise it,” he said, before drawing a historical parallel that sparked further debate.
Malala referenced the assassination of former Cabinet minister Tom Mboya in 1969, suggesting that history often contains unresolved political questions. “I want to remind Kenyans that in 1969, when Tom Mboya was assassinated, the same people who killed him later gave the widow a job as a UNEP representative. So, who killed Amollo?” he posed.
However, a subsequent fact check by Kenyans.co.ke noted that Pamela Mboya, Tom Mboya’s widow, was not appointed to the United Nations Environment Programme in 1969. UNEP was established in 1972, three years after Mboya’s assassination. Pamela Mboya later served with the United Nations Development Programme and became Kenya’s permanent representative to UN-Habitat in the 1980s.
Malala’s remarks come shortly after President William Ruto nominated Mama Ida Odinga as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP. In announcing the nomination, President Ruto said the appointment recognised her lifelong service, resilience, and advocacy for women’s education and empowerment.
The announcement of Who Killed Amollo? has inevitably revived memories of Echoes of War, a play Malala authored and directed that sparked nationwide controversy in April last year. The production, prepared by students of Butere Girls High School for a national drama festival, was pulled from the stage amid claims that its themes were politically sensitive.
The fallout saw Malala briefly detained by police, an incident that prompted protests by the school’s drama team, who declined to perform until his release. The episode ignited a broader conversation about censorship, artistic freedom, and the role of creative expression in political discourse.
Echoes of War is set in the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates and explores generational conflict in a society struggling to balance tradition and innovation. The story follows Mustafa, a gifted IT student whose telemedicine app initially earns state approval before his fortunes change due to resurfaced social media posts critical of the government.
With Who Killed Amollo?, Malala says he intends to continue using theatre as a platform for social interrogation, albeit in a space designed for adult audiences and unrestricted artistic engagement.
ALSO READ: CS Duale Reveals Gaps Leading to the Missing Ksh11 Billion SHA Funds
Malala Announces New Play Titled Who Killed Amollo? After Echoes of War Controversy
