Renowned reggae icon Burning Spear, has publicly voiced his frustration and disappointment following reports of a Kenyan school principal allegedly threatening to discipline a Rastafarian teacher over her religious practices.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Burning Spear, expressed his dismay, writing, "I can't believe anyone in Kenya would not show love to the Rastafarian community. Stand strong. Jah Rastafari love."
According to reports, the principal of a secondary school in Thika threatened disciplinary action against a teacher who identifies as a Rastafarian.
The teacher, wrote "I've received a letter from my school head, citing that I'm a "Rastafarian" and therefore a very bad influence to the students among other accusations just to back that up. And That I should show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against me."
She further attached the letter from the school principal.
"The first time I joined the school I was summoned for having red eyes, accused to be the effect of drugs. That's the natural colour of my eyes. Then it was about my walking style, that I walk as if I'm high. Then it was my dressing code, that I dress in green which is the colour of weed," she said.
According to the official letter from the school, which reads in part, "You claim to be a Rastafarian, hence a very bad influence to the learners," she is supposed to give a detailed explanation in writing whey further disciplinary actions should not be taken.
She further vowed that she would not bow down to pressure. "I don't claim to be a Rastafari-I'm a Rastafari. And now I'm going to grow my natty locks as a sacred Nazarite Vow and a sign of a Rastafari connection to the spirit world," she said.
In Kenya, Rastafari is recognized as a religion as established by High Court ruling in 2019. Judge Chacha Mwita ruled that Rastafarianism is a religion and that its adherents have the right to manifest their beliefs, including through practices such as wearing dreadlocks.
