Anti-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity

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Last updated: 18 April 2026 · Student Affairs & HR, TSMHS

1. Our Commitment

Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences is committed to eliminating discrimination, promoting equal opportunity, and creating an inclusive environment in which every individual can achieve their potential without barriers.

This commitment applies to all aspects of institutional life: admissions, teaching, assessment, clinical placements, employment, promotion, disciplinary processes, and student services.

2. Protected Characteristics

TSMHS will not discriminate against any person on the basis of:

• Race, tribe, ethnicity, or national origin
• Gender or gender identity
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Marital or family status
• Religion or belief (or lack thereof)
• Disability (physical, sensory, mental, or learning)
• Age
• Sexual orientation
• Socioeconomic background
• HIV/AIDS status
• Political opinion

This policy is consistent with the Constitution of Kenya 2010 (Articles 27 and 54), the Employment Act 2007, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2003, and other applicable Kenyan legislation.

3. Forms of Prohibited Conduct

Direct Discrimination

Treating a person less favourably because of a protected characteristic — for example, refusing to admit a student on the basis of tribe, or awarding lower marks without academic justification.

Indirect Discrimination

Applying a rule or practice that, while applied equally to all, places persons with a protected characteristic at a disadvantage without justification.

Harassment

Unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. This includes verbal, written, physical, or online harassment.

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted conduct of a sexual nature — including sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, suggestive comments, sharing of sexual content, and unwanted physical contact. Sexual harassment is a serious disciplinary offence and may be referred to law enforcement.

Victimisation

Treating a person unfavourably because they have made or supported a discrimination complaint, or are believed to have done so. TSMHS will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who reports discrimination in good faith.

Bullying

Persistent or one-off behaviour intended to humiliate, undermine, frighten or hurt another person. Bullying may be physical, verbal, emotional, or digital (cyberbullying).

4. Responsibilities

Students

• Treat all fellow students, staff, patients, and community members with dignity and respect
• Avoid all conduct that could constitute discrimination, harassment, or bullying
• Report incidents you witness or experience
• Cooperate fully in any investigation

Staff & Lecturers

• Model inclusive behaviour and uphold the values of this policy
• Ensure assessment, feedback and teaching are free from bias
• Respond to reports of discrimination promptly and sensitively
• Complete mandatory equal opportunity training

TSMHS as Institution

• Ensure admissions criteria and processes are fair and transparent
• Make reasonable adjustments for students and staff with disabilities
• Maintain confidentiality in all complaints
• Review this policy regularly to ensure it remains effective

5. Reasonable Adjustments for Students with Disabilities

TSMHS will make reasonable adjustments to ensure students with disabilities can access teaching, assessments, and campus facilities on equal terms. Students who require adjustments should:

• Notify the Student Affairs Office at the time of application or as soon as the need arises
• Provide relevant medical or specialist documentation where appropriate
• Work with the institution to agree a Student Support Plan

Adjustments may include extended examination time, alternative assessment formats, physical accessibility arrangements, or assistive technology.

6. Pregnancy & Maternity

TSMHS supports students who are pregnant or on maternity leave. Pregnancy will never be grounds for exclusion, academic disadvantage, or unfair treatment.

• Pregnant students may apply for a semester deferral without academic penalty
• Risk assessments will be carried out for clinical placements where relevant
• Breastfeeding facilities will be provided where possible

7. How to Report

If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bullying, you are encouraged to report it. You can report:

• Informally — speak to any trusted staff member, head of department, or campus counsellor
• Formally — submit a written complaint to the Student Affairs Office or email info@tsmhs.ac.ke with subject "Equality Complaint"
• Anonymously — through the campus suggestion/complaint box (available at each campus reception)

8. Investigation & Outcomes

• All formal complaints will be investigated promptly, impartially, and confidentially
• Both the complainant and respondent will be heard and treated fairly throughout
• Substantiated complaints may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion
• The complainant will be informed of the outcome in writing
• Either party may appeal within 14 days to the Principal

9. External Redress

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of an internal complaint, you may seek redress from external bodies including:

• Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) — www.knchr.org
• National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) — www.ngeckenya.org
• Kenya Human Rights Commission — www.khrc.or.ke