Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala is back to ruffling feathers, and this time, he is aiming for the highest office in the land—thematically speaking. The controversial playwright-cum-politician has unveiled his latest theatrical production, "Who Killed Amollo?", a title that has already sparked a firestorm on social media.

Coming just months after his previous production, "Echoes of War", caused a standoff between the state and the arts fraternity, Malala's new script appears to delve into the sensitive and highly speculative narrative surrounding the death of opposition titan Raila Odinga in late 2025. Critics are already calling it a "political weapon disguised as art."

Art Imitating Life?

Speaking on Radio Citizen, Malala remained coy about the exact plot but dropped heavy hints that the play would tackle political betrayal and assassination. "They said some plays cannot be performed in schools," Malala said, referencing the ban on his previous work. "So I am writing this for adults. We must ask the hard questions: Who killed Amollo? Was it a natural death, or was it the system?"

The title references "Amollo," the middle name of the late ODM leader, whose passing left a power vacuum that is still destabilizing the political landscape. By dramatizing such a raw nerve, Malala is positioning himself as a fearless truth-teller, though his detractors view it as a cynical ploy to remain relevant.

• The "Echoes of War" Precedent: Last year, Malala's play "Echoes of War" was banned by the Ministry of Education for allegedly inciting students, leading to teargas battles at the National Drama Festival in Nakuru. The High Court later reinstated it, but the friction between Malala and the state has only intensified.
• Public Reaction: The announcement has divided opinion. Supporters see it as bold activism, while ODM loyalists have termed it "dancing on a grave." "You cannot use Baba's name for clout," tweeted one user. "Let the man rest."

The Theatre of Politics

Malala also revealed a second script, "The Silent Patient", which he claims parallels the assassination of Tom Mboya in 1969. "History repeats itself," he warned. "When Mboya died, they gave his wife a job at the UN. What are we seeing today?" This seems to be a veiled dig at the recent appointment of Ida Odinga to a UN envoy role by President Ruto.

As rehearsals begin, the security apparatus will undoubtedly be watching closely. Malala has promised that "Who Killed Amollo?" will premiere at the Kenya National Theatre, daring the censors to intervene. In a country where art and politics are often inseparable, the stage is set for a major showdown.