High Court to Rule Whether Criminalizing Marijuana Violates Rastafarian Religious Rights in May

Описание: The High Court has set May 28, 2026 for judgment in a petition filed by members of the Rastafarian community challenging the criminalization of marijuana in Kenya. The case, heard before Justice Bahati Mwamuye at the Milimani Law Courts, questions whether Kenya’s drug laws violate constitutional protections on freedom of religion. Witnesses told the court they have faced years of harassment, stigmatization and searches by security officers due to their faith and association with cannabis.

Members of the lobby group Sheria Mtaani say the petition, which has been in court for about six years, will determine whether Rastafarians can legally use cannabis as part of their religious practice. The court will also examine whether the community’s rights have been violated through enforcement of the 1994 drug law. Judgment will be delivered on May 28 after parties highlight their submissions on May 6.