Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has ordered the immediate readmission of a Grade 10 student at Lwak Girls High School who was allegedly expelled for wearing a hijab. He described the act as discriminatory and contrary to the Constitution. The directive came during his appearance before the National Assembly's departmental committee on education.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has ordered the immediate readmission of Samira Ramadhan, a Grade 10 student at St Mary's Lwak Girls High School in Siaya, who was allegedly denied entry after refusing to remove her hijab on February 20. Samira's parents stated that the school expelled her a month after she reported, thus denying her religious freedom. The student also claimed that Muslim students at the school are forced to attend Catholic mass and are not allowed to perform their preferred prayers.
Bitok issued the order on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during his appearance before the National Assembly's departmental committee on education, where a committee member said: “There is an incident reported at St Mary's Lwak girls in Siaya where a muslim student who joined Grade 10 was refused permission to wear her hijab.” Bitok responded: “There should be no discrimination whatsoever on matters of religion and faith, and it is very clear. As we speak now, the girl was removed from school, but I will ensure that the girl gets to school immediately.”
At the same time, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale criticized the school's management, calling the incident an infringement on the freedom of worship protected by the Constitution. “A muslim girl can wear a hijab and go to school. The courts in our country have ruled against infringement,” Duale said.
The incident occurs amid President William Ruto's order for the admission of all Grade 10 students, even without uniforms or fees. However, it is not the first; in 2025, two religiously sponsored schools were accused of sending students home for wearing hijabs.
