“No crop tops, minis, sleeveless tops, ragged trousers,” Moi University declare

Moi University has implemented new regulations on the dress code for students, as outlined in an internal memo dated February 6, 2024. The university emphasized the need for students to dress decently and introduced a ban on specific dressing styles within the institution’s premises.

The memo, signed by Dr Alice Mutai, the Dean of Students, highlighted the prohibition of dressing in mini-skirts, skin-tight trousers, ragged/torn/ripped jeans, tumbo cuts blouses and shirts, low-cut blouses/dresses, micro-shorts, and transparent dresses.

Additionally, attire revealing bra straps or sleeveless t-shirts, t-shirts with obscene writing, sagging trousers, and all plastic shoes were declared unofficial. The memo stated that no student dressed inappropriately would be allowed to access the university, and disciplinary action would be taken against them.

Members of staff were also instructed not to attend to students who were dressed inappropriately, or they would face consequences. This move follows similar memos released by other universities in October 2023, including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, Strathmore University, and the University of Eldoret.

While dress codes serve to define acceptable attire for specific groups and institutions, critics argue that such codes, especially in universities, tend to disproportionately target female students.