In 2012, the debate over school dress codes in Kenya hit the headlines when then Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo was quoted in the media as having sided with school girls who were demanding that they be allowed to wear miniskirts.
The controversy originated from Rwathia Girls’ Secondary School, where students went on strike demanding they be allowed to assert their sartorial preferences by wearing miniskirts.
This incident sparked heated discussions on social media, with some arguing that clothing choices had no bearing on academic performance.
Fast forward to today, and numerous universities have joined a growing trend of dress code restrictions.
In this article, WoK explores a list of universities with the strictest dress codes in the country.
Masinde Muliro University
Located in Kakamega, MMUST recently created a buzz in the fashion-conscious student community when they issued a stringent dress code.
The institution banned students from wearing miniskirts, crocs, slippers, and ragged jeans, terming the above attires as unofficial.
This was according to a memo by the dean of students, Bernadartte Abwao, who raised concerns over the increased cases of indecent dressing by some students.
Prof Abwao further banned T-shirts with obscene writings, plastic shoes, skin-tight trousers, low-cut blouses and dresses, micro shorts, transparent dresses, sleeveless t-shirts, and attires that show bra straps.
Male students were not spared either, as they were prohibited from wearing clothing that revealed their chests or sagging trousers.
As the Dean emphasized, “As a student, you are expected to dress decently in modest and appropriate attires.”
University of Eldoret
Earlier This year, the University of Eldoret announced a new dress code for its students. The facility banned mini skirts and ragged trousers, terming them indecent.
According to a memo by the university’s dean, female students were barred from wearing miniskirts, skin-tight trousers, ragged jeans, tumbo cuts, bum shorts, and transparent dresses.
Male students were barred from sagging their trousers and wearing attire that revealed their chests.
All students are therefore advised to, at all times, desist from inappropriate dressing while at the University as this may warrant disciplinary action,” read part of the memo from the Dean of Students, Dr. Lelei K. Kiboiy.
Kenya Methodist University
In January this year, Kenya Methodist University released a memo banning some outfits and fashion attires among its students.
According to a memo signed by the Dean of Students, Dr Esther Mbaabu, male students were banned from wearing dreadlocks, plaited hair, earrings, untucked shirts, vests that show bare chests, and hats/caps in classes.
Female students were barred from wearing ‘tumbo cuts’, bare backs, miniskirts, and more.
Mt Kenya University
In 2019, Mt Kenya University issued a memo warning that any students dressed in clothes that reveal their private parts would be banned from the university’s premises.
The memo further required male students to have well-groomed hair while female students were barred from wearing micro miniskirts, bare backs, see-through clothes, or clothes showing cleavage.
MKU is owned by prof Simon N. Gicharu, a Kiambu billionaire who rose from being a milk vendor to founding one of the biggest private universities in Kenya.
Kabarak University
In January this year, Kabarak University joined the ranks of institutions of higher learning that have banned ‘inappropriate’ outfits among their students.
The institution, which is owned by former president Moi’s family, banned miniskirts, skin tights, ragged jeans, tumbo cuts, bum shorts, and transparent dresses.
The institution further required all students to observe the Wednesday chapel dress code that requires all ladies to be clad in modest skirts and dresses and warned male students from sporting plaited hair, dreadlocks, and earrings.
University officials attributed the memo to a rising trend that had seen students wearing mini skirts and ripped jeans to church.
Strathmore University
Strathmore University takes the prize for one of the strictest dress codes in the country.
This institution employs “fashion cops” stationed at the main gate, who scrutinize the attire of students and visitors alike.
Jeans, tight clothing, and sleeveless tops are off-limits, with only trousers and skirt suits deemed acceptable for women and shirts and formal wear for men.
According to Paul Ochieng, the dean of students at Strathmore, these stringent guidelines aim to mold students into professionals who meet corporate standards.
Daystar University
Located in Athi River, Daystar University has one of the strictest dress codes.
According to the institution’s student handbook, female students are not allowed to wear dresses and skirts that are above the knee line.
They are also barred from wearing miniskirts, necklines that are four inches below the shoulders, body-tight trousers, bare backs, tumbo cuts, and see-throughs, among other skimpy attires.
These are just a few examples of Kenyan universities with stringent dress codes.
Other institutions, such as Nazarene University and the United States International University, also have their own dress standards that reflect their commitment to professionalism and academic excellence.
