this is not a dreadlock thing...

Fredrick Rorigi wanted to join the fashion trend five years ago when he choose a hairstyle that is produced through lack of combing hair making rope like strands.

He decided to wear what he says is an African style that was used by our forefathers and has been modernized to fit the 21^st century fashion style.

He was however not prepared for the consequences of his action.

Mr Rorigi is one of a number of dreadlocked men that have faced consequence for choosing to wear their hair long like the Jamaican Rastafarians and the Mau freedom fighters of Kenya.

Another is George Muite, who considered himself a smart and pleasant person when at the United States International University (USIU) when he wore his black dreadlocks with a tint of brown.

Mr Muite realized his plight after five years when searching for an internship before he finished his education.

According to him, his hair that was longer than the average length of a girl’s hair was the reason he was constantly denied the good internship he was looking for, and therefore the need to shave off his years of investment.

“I believe that back then and even now Kenyans are still not liberal enough to entertain such dress codes in men. I felt it is unfair I was judged by my hair and not my credentials,” Muite said.

Some conservative industries have continued to deny dreadlocked men places in their organizations; Conflict arises when an individual’s style of dress or character, does not meet the style of an organization that they seek to get employed in.

Managing Director Public Image Inc Kenya Derek Bbanga, said that the perception that people have about dreadlocks is the main reason why some banks and law firms fail to select qualified individuals for a job in their organizations.

He added, “People see dreads and associate them with reggae, smoking, marijuana and rebellion,”

Mr Rorigi now a professional hairdresser said that he dislikes peoples perception that associate him with the outlawed sect Mungiki.

“People misquote others and it is just fashion. They look at me like am not serious. People are behind and only few know how to handle dreads on men ,”Mr Rorigi said.

Mungiki sect; a gang of youths known for engaging in extortion, fraud, robbery, murder and even kidnapping, emulates the Kenya Mau Mau freedom fighters and the Jamaican soldiers, was used to hairstyle intimidate and defy the colonizers who forced them into slavery in their struggle for independence.

Moses Wainaina, 30, has had his dreadlocks for six years and ventured into the fashion industry as it accommodated his look.

“If you believe in what you want to do, do it. You look for a place where you are okay.” Mr Wainaina said.

The dreadlocks hairdresser  earns a living from making dreadlocks and refining already made dreadlocks to look neat, most of his clients being women.

“I earn at least 1000 from one dreadlock customer. When the late Michuki was fighting with eliminate Mungiki, my security was an issue to my family and friends, and was adviced to shave, but I declined, “Mr Wainaina said.

He added,” Most of my male clients work in less conservative industries; NGOs, private companies and in the media.”

An employee at a leading Kenyan bank, who chooses to remain anonymous, said that society has put it that people who wear dreadlocks are related to disorder and unruly nature; they are freelancers that do not submit to law.

He added that in a business where there is direct contact with the client, the clients’ thoughts are put first before those of the organization.

“The bank has a tradition that cannot accommodate that look. We are not sure what the clients think, maybe they associate it with groups like Mungiki. We choose to be on the safe side. No dreadlocks,” the banker concluded.

Mr Muite in the defense said, “Even people without dreads are unruly. They should take some time to know the strength and skill level of an individual before they reject them. Some organizations lose some greatly skilled persons because they are holding on to backward old fashioned mentalities about dreadlocks.”

According to Ms Lynda Koskey, a Public Relations Practioner, people who wear that kind of hair today thinks it is fine, and a personal sense of style but not all organizations think the same way.

 Even Institutions of Higher learning are limiting the men with dreadlocks from pursuing education with the hairstyle.

According to http://www.wvec.com Hampton University's business school in USA has an 11 year old ban on dreadlocks and cornrows for some students.

The ban states that male students enrolled in the school's 5-year MBA program who take the seminar class cannot wear dreadlocks or cornrows in class.

The site also states that the business school Dean Sid Credle believes that the ban has been effective in helping his students land corporate jobs.

"We've been very successful. We've placed more than 99 percent of the students who have graduated from this school," said Credle.

Credle also said it's important for students to look the part when looking for a job.

Kenya universities that ban the hairstyle especially in men include Daystar University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Strathmore University, but are lenient on females.

Mr Eric Machuka,a communication firm employee, said they do not accept men with dreadlocks because it does not give a good image to the company.

He said that though they are not as rigid on women with dreadlocks, it is not an image they would like to portray to their customers.

Mr Bbanga, the image expert, added that it is easier for women who wear dreadlocks to be accepted in conservative professions than men.

“Women are allowed a variety, and people will view a lady with dreadlocks as having a fashionable hairstyle. For a man it will not be the same, it sometimes viewed as anti-social behavior,” Mr Bbanga said.

The history of the hairdo can be attributed back to the Maasai of Kenya; According to bbc.co.uk/religion, a religious movement from Jamaica called the Rastafarians, grow their dreadlocks as a sign of their commitment to what they refer to as the nazarite vow, found in the Bible, Leviticus 21:5 “They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in their flesh.”

The site also states that Rastafarians view Marijuana, commonly known as ‘bhang”, as a herb of religious significance to heighten feelings of community and to produce visions of a religious and calming nature.

It adds that before they smoke the ‘religious herb’ they utter a prayer “Glory be to the father and to the maker of creation.  As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be World without end: Jah Rastafarian: Eternal God Selassie I.” to show how highly ritual smoking the herb is.

Rastafarians regard the locks as a sign of their African identity.

“I believe that back then and even now Kenyans are still not liberal enough to entertain such dress codes in men. I felt it is unfair I was judged by my hair and not my credentials,” Muite said.

With such a misfortune following the dreadlocked men around, they are forced to decide whether the career they are pursuing and their professional expectations are consistent with their fashion statement.

“The perception of dreadlocks as a bad thing is innate, we cannot control it. If you have them and want to keep them, go into an industry that fits you and accepts them.” Mr Bbanga concluded.