Kisumu Boys High School parents Protest ban on students attending Eid prayers

Parents of students at Kisumu Boys High School have raised concerns over a decision by the school administration to bar Muslim students from attending Eid ul-Fitr prayers last week.

The parents noted that, in previous years, students had been allowed to attend the communal prayers and accused the school principal of deliberately preventing the students from participating in the special prayers that mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan.

“Eid is a significant religious occasion for Muslims, marked by communal prayers and spiritual reflection. Preventing attendance not only disregards religious freedom but also undermines the principles of inclusivity and respect for diversity that our institutions are expected to uphold,” read part of a complaint addressed to local Muslim leaders, seeking their intervention to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Such actions create an environment where Muslim students feel marginalized and unsupported in practicing their faith. It is imperative that immediate steps are taken to address this matter and prevent further occurrences of religious discrimination,” the statement added.

A parent, who spoke to Sahifa Media on condition of anonymity, said the head teacher declined the students’ request to attend Eid prayers, citing the absence of parental consent. “This is absurd. It has never happened before that parents are required to give consent for their children to attend Eid prayers. Moreover, the consent forms were only issued a day before Eid—how do you expect a parent from Garissa to sign it at such short notice?” the parent questioned.

Speaking to Sahifa Media, headteacher Austin Muma defended the decision, saying new measures had been introduced to ensure the safety of students while outside school premises. “Consent is necessary for all students going out of the school premises. What if something happens to the students? I would be held responsible,” he explained.

He added that the school respects the religious rights of Muslim students, pointing to the recently concluded month of Ramadhan, during which arrangements were made to provide meals to students for breaking the fast.