Rastafarians in Kenya fight to decriminalise cannabis, say herb is sacred

A man (L) wearing a red, gold and gree cap over his dreadlock. A woman (R) dancing while shaking her long dreadlocks. (Photo: iStock)

The High Court has given Attorney General Dorcas Oduor a final opportunity to file her responses in a landmark case filed by the Rastafari Society of Kenya (RSK), which seeks to decriminalize the use of marijuana for spiritual purposes.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye granted the extension after the AG requested a postponement of the hearing initially scheduled to start Tuesday.

During proceedings, State counsel Christopher Marwa asked the court to adjourn the case, saying he was not within Nairobi and needed more time to prepare before the case could proceed for hearing.

"I would like to object to the application for adjournment; my colleague has been asking for an adjournment on various occasions. It is now over five years since the case was filed and has never proceeded," countered lawyer Shadrack Wambui, representing the Rastafarian community.

Wambui argued that repeated delays were unfair to the petitioners who have been seeking justice since March 2021.

Justice Mwamuye subsequently rescheduled the hearing to January 14 and 15, 2026, with the judgment reserved for March 12, 2026.

The Rastafarian faithful, led by Prophet Wambua Mwendwa, were present at Milimani High Court, highlighting the spiritual importance of their petition.

Through their lawyers, the faithful argued that cannabis, known locally as bhang, is a sacred herb central to their worship, meditation, and spiritual growth.

Wambui emphasized that criminalizing cannabis use infringes on the community's constitutional right to freedom of conscience, religion, belief, and opinion.

He said that the law discriminates against Rastafarians practicing their faith.

In their lawsuit, the petitioners are asking the court to bar the police from arresting, charging, or harassing followers solely for possessing or using cannabis.