Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has directed Daystar University to stop forcing students to attend church services. This was in response to a query raised by Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali during a parliamentary session yesterday afternoon.
Ali voiced concerns about Muslim students at Daystar University being required to attend chapel services, which contradicts Article 32 of the Constitution.
This country is protected by the constitution. A Muslim student is at liberty to attend a Christian university and vice versa. No student will be forced to go to a chapel or mosque to pray,” Ali said.
In response, the Ministry of Education called an audit into the rules, statutes and practices of Daystar University. The university defended its position, asserting that students are aware upon enrollment that it is a Christian institution with specific values.
The university’s policy mandates attendance at 75% of chapel services per semester.
CS Machogu expressed reservations about the university’s policy, citing its imposition on students of different faiths, which infringes upon the freedom of religion enshrined in Article 32 of the Constitution.
Consequently, the Ministry instructed the principal secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research and the Commission for University Education to scrutinize the university’s policies and practices and ensure compliance with national regulations.
Machogu referenced a previous court ruling that explicitly prohibits schools from compelling students to engage in religious activities not aligned with their beliefs.