PS Julius Bitok Orders Immediate Readmission of Muslim Grade 10 Student Expelled from Lwak Girls Over Hijab

The incident unfolded shortly after Samira joined the school at the start of the term, where initial assurances were given that she could wear the religious headscarf. However, weeks later, school management allegedly reversed this position, instructing her to stop wearing it, leading to her exclusion when she stood firm on her religious practice.

The matter escalated and was brought before the Departmental Committee on Education in Parliament on Thursday, February 26, 2026, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly. Amid outrage from MPs and public attention, PS Bitok intervened decisively, ordering the school's principal and relevant authorities to reinstate the student without delay. He emphasized that denying learners the right to express their religious beliefs contravenes Kenya's constitutional protections under Article 32 (freedom of conscience, religion, belief, and opinion) and longstanding ministry guidelines on inclusivity in schools.

In a strong warning to all educational institutions, Bitok declared zero tolerance for religious discrimination, stating that schools must uphold learners' rights to practice their faith as long as it does not disrupt the learning environment or violate uniform policies in a discriminatory manner. The directive aligns with previous government circulars reinforcing respect for religious attire, including hijabs for Muslim students. Civil society groups and Muslim leaders have welcomed the swift action as a victory for religious freedom and equity in education, though some have called for broader sensitization to prevent similar incidents. The student is expected to resume classes promptly, with the ministry monitoring compliance to ensure a supportive environment for her continued education.