Nairobi, Kenya — The Kenyan High Court has dismissed an appeal by the Rastafarian community seeking the legal right to use cannabis for religious purposes.
The ruling, handed down on July 15, 2026, determined that the Rastafarians had not sufficiently demonstrated how the drug’s use is integral to their religious beliefs.
The decision follows a protracted legal battle initiated in 2021, when the Rastafarians cited their constitutional right to freedom of religion as grounds for their appeal.
The court’s judgment reflects a broader discussion on Kenya’s drug laws, which the judge, Bahati Mwamuye, suggested may be overly stringent.
The Rastafari movement, with its roots in mysticism, Pan — Africanism, and vegetarianism, is deeply rooted in Kenyan society, with members frequently employing cannabis in their religious rituals.
However, Kenyan law, a legacy of British colonial rule, criminalizes cannabis possession and use, imposing penalties as severe as 10 years’imprisonment and substantial fines. Judge Mwamuye noted that while all witnesses agreed cannabis is used by Rastafarians as a sacrament, the court was divided on whether its use was essential to their faith.
The judge also pointed to the country’s widespread recreational cannabis use, indicating that the current law may be overly harsh. Despite the ruling, the Rastafarian community has vowed to appeal the decision.
The appeal could bring the complex issues of religious freedom and drug policy to the forefront of public discourse in Kenya.
The Rastafarian community’s lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, confirmed their intention to appeal, emphasizing the potential for new avenues to emerge from the legal setback.
The court’s decision has sparked a national debate on the balance between upholding religious freedoms and enforcing drug laws in Kenya.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
