Outrage as Mombasa school bars Muslim girls from wearing hijab

A school in Mombasa has sparked outrage after barring Muslim female students from wearing the hijab.

Efforts by Muslim and local leaders to engage the administration of Consolata Primary and Junior School in Likoni for an amicable resolution were unsuccessful, with the school refusing to allow the students to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of worship.

Terming the move discriminatory and a violation of religious freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution, the leaders strongly condemned the decision, warning that it poses a threat to social cohesion.

Parents have also complained that the school compels Muslim learners—even during the holy month of Ramadhan—to participate in church services, contrary to their faith.

The incident comes barely a month after Education Ministry Principal Secretary Julius Bitok affirmed the rights of Muslim students to wear the hijab and warned of stern action against institutions that violate learners’ constitutional rights.

Following concerns raised by parents regarding the violation of learners’ religious rights, Mombasa Women Representative Zamzam Mohammed on Monday March 16, visited the school where she engaged engaged the school administration and reminded them of the Ministry of Education circular dated 4th March 2022, which clearly states that no learner should be discriminated against because of their religion. The directive also affirms the right of learners to practice their faith freely and wear religious attire in line with their beliefs.

“We gave them the circular from the Education Ministry, but they dismissed it, saying they have their own constitution,” she said. “They even force students to take the sacrament in church on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This is unacceptable,” she added, pledging to raise the matter on the floor of Parliament.

The legislator called for immediate intervention by the Ministry of Education to ensure that the rights of Muslim learners are respected. “The school is publicly funded, and if the administration does not comply with ministry directives, government resources should be withdrawn,” she stated.

Zamzam further pointed out that it is ironical that while Catholic nuns at the school observe modesty covering their heads, they are hostile to Muslim girls wearing the hijab.

A local elder, Suleiman Mwatsanga, criticized the school’s stance, saying parents have long raised concerns about such violations without any action being taken.

His sentiments were echoed by local political leader Pamela Ojana, who warned that if the issue is not resolved amicably, it could inflame religious tensions.

The school, which is sponsored by the Catholic Church, is among several institutions under church auspices—from Marsabit to Siaya—that have recently come under scrutiny for denying female students the right to wear the hijab and violating the religious freedoms of Muslim learners.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another controversy involving the suspension of a Muslim student at St. Mary’s Lwak Girls Senior School in Siaya County for refusing to remove her hijab.

In response to the uproar, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok ordered the immediate readmission of the student, Samira Ali Ramadhan, terming the action discriminatory and unconstitutional.

“There should be no discrimination whatsoever on matters of religion and faith, and this is very clear,” he said.

However, despite the directive, the student’s parents declined to return her to the school, citing persistent harassment. Instead, they transferred her to Tigoi Girls School in Vihiga County, where they say she is now learning in an environment that respects her faith.