The bible verse rastafarian father quoted in Court making Judge oder school to allow his daughter back with “Rastas”

Lawyer Wambui Shadrack (left) with John Wambua alias Prophet (right) the father of a dreadlocked girl who was denied admission at Olympic High school at Milimani court on January 14. /COLLINS KWEYU

Followers of the Rastafari religion jammed a constitutional court yesterday when one of their prophets took to the witness dock to defend the right of his daughter to wear dreadlocks to school.

For them it was a matter of their freedom to express their religion and for that reason the young and the old came in their numbers wearing long beaded necklaces and huge turbans.

According to Mwendwa what his daughter wears is Rasta and is an outward expression of her faith in her maker as opposed to dreadlocks which he believes is something that is ‘dreadful’. Rasta, he said, is covered. He said there is a difference between dreadlocks and Rasta.

As he explained to court he quoted sections of bible which he claims the Rastafarians follow.

He quoted the book of numbers chapter 6:1-8 where the bible among many things forbids shaving of hair for Nazarites.

“My Lord as my faith I am not supposed to shave my hair. This is not just my faith, I and my family we shall serve the Lord, It is my responsibility to raise my child as a Rasta,” Mwendwa said.

He noted that his daughter had indicated to the school that she is a Rastafarian and the decision to now eject her from school is in bad faith especially after she already attended two lessons.

Mwendwa further argued that the school rules forbid dreadlocks and that there is no where it says Rastas shouldn’t be educated.

He pointed to the judge that though his daughter read and understood school rules they contravene her right to religion.

The rules which were read out in court forbid a child from wearing dreadlocks to school among many things.

Mwendwa had sued Olympic High School in Kibra seeking to compel them to admit his daughter to Form One without shaving her dreadlocks.

The minor was sent away on January 10, despite having paid school fees.

She was allegedly condemned for having dreadlocks and was directed to only come back after shaving.

The father in the suit papers says the action of the school amounts to discrimination on the basis of her Rastafarian beliefs.

The Constitution states that every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.

“Every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in public or in private, to manifest any religion or belief through worship, practice, teaching or observance, including observance of a day of worship,” Article 30(2) states.

On its part the school denied discriminating on the minor but firmly stated that the rules ought to be complied with by all students.

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