A ban on Islamic headscarves at Maikona primary school has prompted an outcry among the Maikona Muslim community and parents.
A large crowd of community members and parents took to the streets on Friday to protest against the restrictions.
Led by human right activist Abdub Galgallo, they said the ban on the hijab infringes on the right to education and religious freedom.
"A ban on hijabs would clearly impact Muslim students' access to education. Religious freedom includes the ability to choose one's religious attire. The school administration should not determine the permissibility of religious clothing," said Abdub.
He said the ban violated a personal choice that the students are entitled to which does not harm any other person.
Abdub demanded that the girls be allowed to wear their religious hijabs without being discriminated against.
Adan Dalacha, a parent at Maikona Primary School called for action over what he alleged to be the school's hatred against the Muslim girls.
He said the protest was meant to ask the school authority to allow the girls to wear their hijab as a matter of constitutional right.
"This protest is to register our displeasure and condemnation of the draconian and repressive school administration of banning Muslim girls from wearing hijab.
He said some parents have chosen to take away their children from school rather than obey a ban on hijabs, arguing that Muslim students had long been permitted to wear hijab at school.
He added that the head covering by Muslim girls shows modesty and a sign of religious belief.
"The hijab is not just a piece of cloth and banning takes away their identity and rights," said Adan
While presenting a memorandum to both the Ministry of Education and the deputy county commissioner's office regarding the alleged discrimination and violation of their girls' religious rights, Sheikh Adano Dekema accused the school of disrespecting their religious rights.
He said the school headteacher failed to demonstrate respect for Islam as a religion.
"The headteacher's administrative action has adversely affected Muslim constitutional right to practising their religion and live in a society free from discrimination," he said.
Adano said the decision by the Maikona primary school has created religious animosity within the community.
He demanded immediate disbandment of the school's board and a new all-inclusive board be formed.
He said Maikona primary school Muslim girls were being forced to learn CRE instead of IRE which according to him amounts to social injustice.
The girl's parent Habiba Dido demanded that students be allowed to attend classes even if they are wearing hijab, arguing that wearing hijab is a fundamental right guaranteed under the constitution and is essential for practicing their religion.
She called for the ouster of the school headteacher for prohibiting students from wearing hijab.
"If girls choose to wear hijab over their uniforms for religious reasons, they should be allowed to do so," said Habiba
She added that it is important to respect an individual's religious rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
" Our children have always been wearing hijab but now the school authorities have banned wearing hijab. We will not send our wards to school without hijab," she said
Shariff Adan, a parent at Maikona Primary School said the school administration did not have any discussion with the parents on the ban on hijab.
Maikona primary Muslim girls were allegedly prevented from entering their classes with hijab on the grounds that it is not part of their uniform.
Maikona's primary headteacher Ibrae Koke confirmed the ban on hijab when contacted by the Star.
He said the decision was made by the school's board of management.
Koke however urged the parents to give dialogue a chance to resolve the matter.
While receiving the memorandum from the parents and Muslim community, Deputy County Commissioner Pius Nthigah Njeru assured parents and Muslim community that their grievances in their memorandum would be solved in a week's time.
The deputy county commissioner said wearing hijab by Muslim girls was their constitutional right and nobody has the right to infringe on their religious rights.
