CS Machogu Warns Against Forcing Students to Attend Church as Probe into Daystar University Begins
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has mandated an audit into Daystar University’s statutes and practices amid allegations that non-Christian students are compelled to attend chapel services.
Emphasizing the constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship, CS Machogu directed the principal secretary for Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala, and the Commission for University to conduct a thorough investigation into the university’s policies and practices within a two-week timeframe.
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Responding to Nyali MP Mohammed Ali during his appearance before the National Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Machogu conveyed that the university clarified that all students are admitted with full awareness of its Christian background, philosophy, and teachings.
The admission process involves students signing a code of conduct, committing to uphold the university’s Christian values and actively engage in spiritual discipline. The university has a policy requiring students, irrespective of their religious affiliation, to attend a minimum of 75% of all scheduled chapel services in any given semester.
Addressing concerns, Mr. Machogu emphasized that the administration denied any conditional linkage between the release of students’ marks and attendance at chapel services. However, he expressed the ministry’s unease, pointing out that the university’s policy potentially violates the Constitution and freedom of religion and belief under Article 32.
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Referring to a case in May last year, where the Court of Appeal in Kisumu ruled in favor of learners from the Jehovah’s Witness faith, Mr. Ali highlighted the court’s declaration that compelling students to participate in interfaith activities contradicting their faith is a violation of freedom of religion.
The learners, who were attending a school where they were forced to attend Catholic Mass, secured a ruling declaring such mandatory activities as discriminatory, unconstitutional, and invalid.
Mr. Ali underscored the freedom of Kenyan students to attend any university irrespective of their religious foundations. Following the proceedings, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed Mr. Machogu to dispatch officers to Daystar University for a comprehensive investigation.
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The CS and Mr. Ali are expected to appear before the Committee on Education in a fortnight, with Chair Julius Melly subsequently tabling a statement on their deliberations.
CS Machogu Warns Against Forcing Students to Attend Church as Probe into Daystar University Begins
