Kenya's Ministry of Basic Education has ordered the immediate readmission of a Grade 10 student expelled from Lwak Girls High School for wearing a hijab.

• The expulsion, which occurred on February 20, was deemed discriminatory by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.
• Key figures involved include Principal Secretary Julius Bitok and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who condemned the school's action.
• The incident highlights ongoing issues concerning religious freedom in schools, with allegations of forced attendance at religious services and prayer restrictions for Muslim students.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the Ministry of Education to immediately reinstate a Muslim Grade 10 student at St Mary’s Lwak Girls in Siaya County who was reportedly sent home for wearing a hijab.

• The student was refused permission to wear her hijab despite assurances at admission.
• The decision was flagged by PAC Vice Chairperson Amina Udgoon Siyad as religious discrimination, citing Kenya's Constitution on equality and freedom from discrimination.
• Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok admitted the student was not in school and pledged to ensure her immediate return.

Kenya's Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) has ordered the State Department for Basic Education to eliminate or reduce the Ksh30 SMS placement fee for senior secondary school admissions.

• The Ombudsman deemed the fee an unreasonable barrier to accessing educational information, disproportionately affecting citizens in rural areas.
• The directive follows a complaint filed on December 20, 2025, citing the fee as exorbitant and discriminatory.
• The Ministry is also required to enhance public awareness of the free online portal option and publicly disclose the cost breakdown for the SMS service.