A dispute over the wearing of hijabs at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Hola Campus has been resolved following discussions between religious leaders and the college administration.
A delegation of imams, ustadhs and Muslim leaders visited the campus after concerns were raised by students who said they had been restricted from wearing the hijab while attending classes.
The intervention was initiated under the guidance of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) for Tana River County Sheikh Musa Bute, who tasked the group with engaging the institution to find a solution.
A delegation of the Muslim clerics held what participants described as constructive talks with college officials.
Tana River County SUPKEM Chairman Sheikh Musa Bute stressed the importance of upholding religious freedom and respecting students’ rights to practise their faith.
He said KMTC Hola Campus administration acknowledged the concerns and apologised for what it termed a misunderstanding.
Sheikh Musa Bute noted that the schools have affirmed that Muslim students would be allowed to wear hijabs while pursuing their studies at the institution.
“We welcome the resolution of the community leaders. It reflects the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in addressing sensitive issues,” stated Sheikh Musa Bute.
Tana River County, where Hola Town serves as the administrative capital, has a predominantly Muslim population, with Islam accounting for about 81% of residents and Christianity about 18%.
SUPKEM called for promotion of harmony within the college and handling similar concerns in other institutions across Kenya.
This comes at the backdrop of a similar case where the court ordered the immediate readmission of a student at St Mary’s Lwak Girls High School in Siaya County after she was reportedly barred from attending classes for wearing a hijab.
The case, filed by the student’s family, argued that the school’s actions violated her constitutional rights to education and freedom of religion.
The matter was treated as urgent, drawing public attention and sparking debate over the delicate balance between school policies and individual rights to freedom of expression and associations as per the 2010 Constitution.