Rastafarians in Kenya are campaigning to legalise marijuana, arguing that a criminalisation ruling violates their religious rights. The movement is led by followers who say marijuana plays a sacred role in Rastafari worship and practice. In Nairobi’s Kibera area, several participants have gathered for religious sessions that include singing with lyrics referencing Rastafari and historical figures associated with the faith.
Coverage describes the campaign as an effort to challenge the legal status of cannabis and to secure recognition for religious use. Advocates argue that banning the substance restricts their ability to practise their beliefs. Opponents’ views are not detailed in the provided excerpts, but the dispute centres on whether Kenya’s laws and court decisions criminalising marijuana align with constitutional protections for freedom of religion.
The reporting indicates that the case is being framed as a rights issue rather than a broader push for recreational liberalisation, with organisers emphasising the spiritual purpose of cannabis within Rastafari communities.
