School ordered to admit girl kicked out over dreadlocks

Court orders school to admit student kicked out because of her dreadlocks. (Beverlyne Musili, Standard)

The High Court has ordered a Nairobi school to admit a student who had been kicked out because of her dreadlocks as she waits for the verdict on her case.

Justice Chacha Mwita ordered Olympic High School to allow the girl to study on condition that she keeps her hair neat and covered by a black turban.

He will deliver judgement on May 3.

Earlier, the girl's father told the court she was told to cut her hair and that a teacher made her remove her turban.

He said the teacher at the school in Kibera, Nairobi County, told her to choose between beauty and education.

The father, who was represented by lawyer Shadrack Wambui, took the witness stand yesterday.

School Principal Michael Kahare gave a different narrative on what happened early this month.

Mr Kahare, in his reply, claimed that the minor allegedly told his deputy that she was a Muslim.

However, a school form she had filled indicated that she was a Rastafarian.

According to the principal, a perusal of a certificate of the Rastafarian society did not show whether children were part of the religion.

The principal said the administration allowed the schoolgirl to go to class on admission day but she was required to comply with school rules the following day.