The recent controversy surrounding Echoes of War, a school play performed by Butere Girls’, has sparked nationwide debate—not only for its political themes but also for the money behind school drama productions.
The play, penned by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, was set to be performed during the Kenya Schools Drama Festival in April 2025. Its powerful themes and national spotlight have raised questions about how much scriptwriters can earn from such performances.
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, seasoned playwright and comedian Kevin Aswani offered insight into the business side of scriptwriting, particularly in the school drama scene.
How Much is Paid per School Script?
Malala is not new to the stage—he’s reportedly written over 80 scripts. According to Aswani, the earnings from a single school play script can vary.
“For school plays, depending on the magnitude of the project, a single script can go for a maximum of KSh 100,000, and a minimum of KSh 60,000. This depends on the project, the client, and sometimes the bargaining power,” said Aswani.
Considering Echoes of War was a full-length, high-profile play aimed at nationals and laden with heavy thematic content, Aswani estimates its value would lean toward the higher end of the pay scale.
How Much Could Malala Have Earned?
If each of Malala’s 85 scripts was sold at the minimum price of KSh 60,000, he could have earned approximately KSh 5.1 million. On the upper end, at KSh 100,000 per script, that figure rises to KSh 8.5 million.
But that’s not the whole picture.
Aswani explained that scriptwriting revenue doesn’t stop with selling the script. “There is some money attached to the training sessions after the script is sold. There is the first stage, then county level, and then nationals, guaranteeing additional income that comes from coaching the students through those stages,” he said.
If a writer also acts as a trainer, they might earn an additional KSh 10,000 per stage—local, county, and national—adding KSh 30,000 per project. Multiplied across 85 scripts, that’s an extra KSh 2.55 million in potential earnings.
What Skills Are Needed for Scriptwriting?
While the numbers may sound promising, Aswani emphasized that playwriting is not a quick-cash career. It demands consistency and deep awareness of societal trends.
“It is a career that needs consistency. You cannot just write one script and disappear for two years. The craft evolves fast, and you need to be on top of the societal issues that drive the themes,” he explained.
“You need to understand the changing lifestyles and cultures of people. The society’s culture keeps shifting, so your script must reflect those dynamics.”
The Broader Debate
The Butere Girls’ performance of Echoes of War has fueled conversations not just about income in the creative industry, but also about the rules governing school performances. Education CS Julius Ogamba criticized Malala’s involvement, citing festival guidelines that limit scriptwriting roles to teachers.
Ogamba argued that Malala, as a non-teacher, altered the play in ways that raised ethical and regulatory concerns. But Aswani countered, “Any professional playwright—and especially some with the calibre of Malala in the sector—can write and direct school plays.”
As schools continue to serve as platforms for both civic education and creative expression, the story of Echoes of War is a reminder of the power and value behind every performance—both in influence and in income.