Education

Daystar University in a spot over claims of forced church attendance

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu. (Photo: Education Ministry)

By Barack Oduor | Thursday, February 29, 2024

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali claimed on Wednesday that Daystar University allegedly withheld marks for Muslim students who declined to attend chapel services.

The Daystar University administration is under the spotlight following allegations that students were being forced to attend Chapel, contrary to their rights to freedom of religion.

The matter came to light on Wednesday, when the National Assembly's Education Committe put Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to task over the claims the university had directed all its students to attend church services.

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Nyali MP Mohammed Ali claimed Daystar withheld marks for Muslim students who declined to attend chapel services.

Ali asked, "Could the CS clarify the alleged reports of students professing the Muslim faith at the university being coerced to attend chapel, contrary to Article 32 of the Constitution?"

Machogu told the committee that his ministry had sought a response from the university over the allegations, and called for an audit into allegations that some institutions withheld students' marks, hindering them from graduating.

"Code of conduct"

The university is said to have defended its regulations by pointing out that students join with the understanding that it is Christian-based.

"Upon admission, students sign a code of conduct whereby they agree to abide by the institution's Christian values and commit to participating in the university's ritual disciplines," Daystar said in a letter to Machogu.

"The university has indicated that its students are required to attend at least 75 per cent of all scheduled chapel services in any given semester. However, it denies that the release of marks is conditional on attending the services."

Machogu directed Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala and the Commission for University Education (CUE) to audit the institution's policies and outline corrective actions after reviewing its response.

"As a ministry, we have observed that the university's policy mandates all students, including those who are not Christian, to attend church services," he reiterated.

"This violates the Constitution and beliefs protected under Article 32, which the government will not tolerate."

Machogu said all universities should ensure the fair treatment of all students regardless of their cultural or religious affiliations.

On its website, the university indicates it is a Christ-centred, non-denominational institution of higher learning that exists to equip Christian servant leaders for the transformation of the church and society.

The institution further says it integrates faith and learning for transformational servant leadership.