‘Hare Krishna!’: Outrage as Kilifi School Kids Forced to Recite Hindu Prayers for Food

The Kenyan government has halted a school feeding programme in 17 schools across Kilifi County following reports and viral videos showing pupils being forced to recite Hindu prayers before receiving their meals.

The suspension affects schools in the Ganze area.

Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Kibiwott confirmed that the aid programme has been stopped in all affected schools. The decision was made after a review of the video clips and concerns about ethical practices.

Compulsory Chants Spark Outrage

Viral footage captured in Ganze showed hundreds of students from multiple institutions being directed to perform Hindu prayers.

Some videos showed learners following instructions in isolated areas, while others captured head teachers guiding students.

The prayers demanded of the children were identified as:

"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare".

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Teachers reportedly explained that these specific prayers needed to be memorised and recited to thank both God and the benefactor providing the food.

The requirement was reportedly introduced only during the current third term, despite the programme running since 2019.

Netizens Express Their Fury

Online reactions were swift and varied, with many social media users condemning the act as exploitative. Some commenters questioned why local leaders were not providing aid.

"You mean where the school is located hakuna MP or elected leaders who can donate food to these kids hmm," one user commented.

Another user pointed to the desperate circumstances that would lead to such an exchange. "The work of the devil is to steal, kill and destroy," a user wrote.

A sentiment shared by many was the idea that poverty was the real issue. "The enemy is poverty," one comment read. A user named "modymzurii" simply stated, "poverty is very bad".

The incident also ignited a heated religious debate online. While some users highlighted the hypocrisy of the situation, others offered a religious perspective on aid.

"He who feeds you controls you".

Another comment read, "Kila mtu aabudu tu Mungu anamlisha" (Everyone should just worship the God who feeds them).

Reports suggest the requirement for the pupils to recite the prayers began after a meeting. Teachers from the 17 affected schools—16 primary and one secondary—were reportedly summoned to Mombasa in August during the holiday period.

This meeting is cited as where the feeding programme system was changed, leading to the new practices.

Swift Government Intervention

The government acted quickly after the videos prompted public criticism on social media. The suspension followed a day-long review involving the County Education Team.

County Commissioner Josephat Kibiwott explained the rationale behind suspending the foundation’s operations.

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“We have stopped that children’s foundation from supplying food to our schools because we saw it as unfit. If you want to help people, help in a good way, not by forcing pupils to do what is not right for them, as you have seen in those video clips,” Kibiwott told the media.

Authorities also confiscated several religious materials discovered within the schools as part of the ongoing investigation.

Welfare Concerns in Drought-Hit Area

The meals programme had been operating in the schools since 2019.

The decision to suspend the aid raises concerns for pupils in Ganze. The region is drought-affected, and many students rely heavily on the school meals for their nutrition.

Authorities have assured the public that they are actively exploring alternative arrangements. This measure is intended to ensure pupils continue to receive meals while investigations into the practices of the foundation continue.