On Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, the Kenyan High Court in Nairobi rejected a bid by the country's small Rastafarian community to gain legal exemption for marijuana use on religious grounds. The community had sought permission to smoke cannabis, which they consider part of their religious meditation, arguing it should be protected under Kenya's constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Judge Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the Rastafarians failed to demonstrate that marijuana use is a necessary part of their religious practice. While witnesses agreed cannabis is used as a sacrament, they could not agree on whether its use is essential or merely preferred. Consequently, the court did not grant the right to bypass Kenya's strict narcotics laws, which have roots in British colonial legislation.

The community's lawyer, Shadrack Wambui, announced plans to appeal the decision.

Despite the ruling, Judge Mwamuye called for a broader national discussion on Kenya's drug policy, stating, "This is not just a question for the Rastafari community but one that cuts across society." He noted that cannabis use has become widespread in Kenya for many decades and referenced Peter Tosh's reggae song "Legalize It," quoting, "judges smoke it, even lawyers do."

Kenya had previously recognized Rastafari as a religion in 2019 when a court ruled that expelling a school pupil for her dreadlocks violated her religious rights.

Sources