A Kenyan school in Nairobi has been sued for banning a Rastafarian girl from attending classes because of her hair.
Kenyan media reports that the girl, Makeda Ndinda was disappointed at the decision of the Olympic High School.
The girl told the media she was asked to choose between “hair or books” by a senior official of the school.
Despite wrapping her hair in a wrap, Ndinda was told only Muslims are allowed to wrap their hair while in school.
The Kenyan Standard newspaper reports that Kenyan’s constitutional does not regulate dress codes in schools.
Mwanafunzi wa kidato cha kwanza alifurushwa shuleni baada ya kugunduliwa kwamba alikuwa wa dini ya Warasta almaarufu ‘rastafarians’ #KTNLeoWikendi pic.twitter.com/KchpHAXrBr
— ktn (@KTNKenya) January 12, 2019
Seeking justice
Father of the girl on Monday through his lawyers sued the school, seeking justice over the matter.
According to the motion the child reported to school on January 10, 2019 but was summoned by the deputy head teacher and ordered to shave her dreadlocks.
READ: Children of Rastafarians in Ghana refused admissions into schools due to their dreadlocks
The school insisted that without shaving her dreadlocks, she will not be accepted into the school.
Ndinda’s father was quoted by CitizenTV to have said that “I have sought audience with the deputy head teacher, headmaster and education officer based in Kibra and explained that the dreadlocks are as a result of cultural and religious beliefs and no one has listened to us”.
Hearing of the case is expected to take place on January 16, 2018.
Meanwhile a Nairobi-based human rights organisation, Katiba Institute says it is willing to assist the Rastafarian girl.
This is question of human rights. A similar case on right to practice religion in school was decided in favor of the students. You can find more here https://t.co/y6X09YAZj2 https://t.co/D0F658fOrg
— Katiba Institute (@katibainstitute) January 13, 2019
Source: Africafeeds.com
