The Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris started a national controversy when she requested schools to stop using uniforms, which she described as a “colonial relic” that fails to meet the basic needs of Kenyan families.
The “twisted” reality behind this proposal is the potential decapitation of the “uniform-industrial complex.” “The predatory pricing practices that schools enforced through discipline requirements forced parents to purchase from specific suppliers who served elite schools.
Passaris explains that the “colonial mentality” exists beyond fabric since it creates a psychological bond that punishes poor people who cannot pay for specific types of polyester material.
Passaris advocates for the complete elimination of uniforms, according to her, which would create a “visual audit” of Kenya’s existing wealth distribution. The woman representative contends that traditionalists believe uniforms serve as a “Great Equalizer,” but uniforms actually function as a “Great Mask,” which conceals educational system failures while taking away financial resources from disadvantaged groups.
The proposed shift represents a radical “pedagogical deconstruction.” The process would require schools to move away from the “Regimental Model,” which they inherited from British Empire times, and develop a contemporary school environment that encourages student identity development. The absence of uniforms creates a “social runway” effect, which transforms classrooms into settings where students face brand-based bullying while experiencing the psychological impact of their financial situation.
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