This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
On Friday, September 13, 2019, the Kenyan High Court made a significant ruling in favor of the Rastafarian movement, recognizing it as a legitimate religion in the country.
The court's decision came in response to a case filed by a father who challenged a school's directive to expel his daughter due to her dreadlocks, which he claimed were a manifestation of her Rastafarian faith.
Justice Chacha Mwita, in his ruling, declared that the school's decision to expel the girl was unconstitutional and that her dreadlocks were a legitimate expression of her religion.
The court also ruled that the school's actions were discriminatory and that the girl had the right to practice her faith freely.
According to Article 30 (1) of the Kenyan Constitution, every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, and opinion.
Justice Mwita emphasized that the girl's right to basic education should not be compromised by her choice to keep dreadlocks, which is a part of her Rastafarian faith.
"A child has a constitutional right to basic education, keeping rastas is her way of professing her faith, and it's wrong to compel her to shave which is against her religion," he said.
