Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega on Wednesday, October 11, issued a raft of guidelines to govern students’ dress code in the institution.
In a memo seen by The Kenya Times, the university’s Dean of Students Dr. Benardatte Abwao expressed concerns over select students donning “indecent” clothes.
“We have observed and noted with concern the indecent dressing by some of you,” the Dean noted.
As such, she issued directives prohibiting wearing mini-skirts, low-cut blouses and dresses, and micro shorts.
Additionally, the institution banned transparent dresses, attires that show bra straps and sleeveless T-shirts in the institution.
Other clothes listed in the memo include T-shirts with obscene writings, sagging trousers, and clothes that reveal the chest.
Students in the university will also not be allowed to wear ripped and ragged jeans as well as “crocs”.
Further, in the memo, Dr Abwao maintained that crocs and slippers are not official wear and as such no student will be allowed to enter the institution in them.
The memo has since sparked mixed reactions with Kenyans expressing their views on the move.
Also Read: Kisii University Sparks Debate Over KUCCPS Placement
A section of Kenyans who commented lauded the new restrictions and recommended adoption of the same in other institutions.
“The Dean is very right, and I would like to see other University institutions follow the same script,” a Facebook user named Otung Jnr stated.
“They have to do it like it is done in the University of East Africa Baraton,” another one commented.
Also, another user said, “Crocs were the most comfortable shoes on campus. It will not work.”
Also Read: University Students Hold Protests After Babu Owino’s Call
Masinde Muliro to Join Other Universities with Dress Code Restrictions
With the restrictions in place, Masinde Muliro now joins a list of Kenyan Universities to regulate dress code for students.
Among other universities with similar restrictions include Strathmore and St Paul’s University.
At Strathmore University, students are required to adhere to strict guidelines which the institution notes are in compliance with the principles of modesty, decency, and professional appropriateness.
Some of the guidelines include that male students should wear shirts long enough to cover the torso and must have sleeves.
Additionally, students are not allowed to wear tracksuits, shorts, slippers, rubbers, and T-shirts.
Other rules include one restricting ladies from wearing clothes with slits above the knees and blouses with long necklines.
