Connect with us

About Wajir Times

Muslim students at Mwingi KMTC say they were embarrassed and felt discriminated as they seek answers

Published

on

Female Muslim students camping at the main gate of the Mwingi KMTC. The management declined entry for students with Hijab. (Courtesy)

By: Abdikadir Ukash

NAIROBI—The female Muslim students who were denied entry into the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Mwingi said they were embarrassed when the gateman dismissed them for covering their hair.

Speaking to Kulan Post on the phone, the students said they were not informed of the new regulation which was affected by the new deputy principal, Mrs Evalyne Mwonyi who joined the campus this semester that starts next week.

“We were called to sit for our promotional exams,” Malyun, who declined her identity exposed, said. She was speaking in the company of five other victims of this week’s stand-off at the Mwingi KMTC campus.

“We were embarrassed and felt discriminated based on our choice of dressing which doesn’t go against the standard medical procedure,’’ she added.

It is the first time such an incident was reported in the four-year old campus.

Malyun said the school Principal called last evening to inform her that the school management has resolved to allow the female student to resume their studies clad in their headscarves.

The students said the deputy principal has not explained her actions.

Garissa Township MP Aden Daule said the matter has since been resolved, adding that the institution would allow the female students to continue with their studies.

“The board of KMTC under the Chairmanship of Prof. Kaloki and Director Prof. Kiptoon have resolved the outstanding issue of discriminating Muslim girls wearing hijab at Mwingi KMTC,” Duale posted on his Facebook late last night.

He added, “All other KMTC branches throughout the country allow Muslim students to wear hijab and KMTC Mwingi can not be exceptional.”

The matter caused uproar and mixed reaction on social media.

Mwangi Elias said, ”As long as they adhere to the strict public health and safety rules concerning loose clothing in Hospitals and laboratories, they should wear the hijabs, but if that line is crossed, human health and safety transcends religion and culture.”

Suleyman Irfaan Saney said, “The constitution is supreme to the dress code ya KMTC. Is that so hard to understand? Freedom of worship as enshrined in the constitution is above the dress code of KMTC. And why does the dress code matter only in the said KMTC while there are hundreds of KMTCs all over Kenya and Muslim ladies are adhering to their Islamic dress codes and they are respected for that everywhere?  This is a clear case of Religious Discrimination.”

Kelly Kelix said, “There is a uniform for all kmtc students and it’s descend it makes all students equal and the identity of the school, if you wish to put on something different do it elsewhere not in school.”

The board members and the school management are set to meet on Monday to further resolve the matter.

Comments

Your comments here:

error

Share it with your friends