This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
Published on July 6, 2021, a controversy has erupted in Kongowea, Nyali subcounty, Mombasa, after residents were denied government services due to their mode of dressing.
According to Andrew Mativo, a human rights defender in Kongowea, young women were allegedly turned away from the chief's office because they were dressed inappropriately.
Mativo stated, 'We will eject the chief out of that public office. She has devised ways of harassing women dressed in shorts, miniskirts, dresses, and sleeveless tops by not serving them.'
Caroline Wambua, a resident of Kongowea, shared her experience of being turned away from the chief's office due to her attire.
'I felt embarrassed while in a queue waiting to apply for an identity card, I was handpicked by two village elders who told me I was dressed badly, and I needed to go home,' Wambua said.
Mombasa County Commissioner, Gilbert Kitiyo, condemned the chief's actions, stating that there is no constitutional provision to deny Kenyans public services based on their dressing.
'I have neither heard nor read of any section of the constitution that can be used to turn away Kenyans from public offices due to the way one is dressed,' Kitiyo said.
The commissioner advised those who had been denied services to file a formal complaint with the police.
