This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
On September 13, 2019, the High Court in Kenya made a landmark ruling in favor of a Rastafarian student who was expelled from school for wearing dreadlocks.
Justice Enoch Chacha Mwita delivered the verdict, stating that the school's decision to expel the student was a violation of her rights to education and religion.
The court ruled that Rastafarianism is a recognized religion in Kenya and that schools must respect the rights of students to practice their faith.
According to the judge, the Constitution does not define what constitutes a religion, but the dictionary does, and Rastafarianism meets the criteria.
"This is the first ever case in this country where a child dons rasta braids because of her religious beliefs," Justice Mwita said.
The court also pointed out that the school's rules were applied in a discriminatory manner to deny the student her education.
"School rules stand on her way to religion and education, the rules have been applied in a manner to deny her education, keeping rastas is a manifestation of her religion and forcing her to cut it is contrary to her beliefs," the judge ruled.
