The Rastafari community is in mourning following the death of Elder Ras Lojuron Kennedy Aggrey Jaden, a towering figure in Kenya’s spiritual and cultural circles.
Ras Lojuron, the son of the late South Sudanese nationalist Aggrey Jaden, passed away last week after a period of illness.
Widely respected for his lifelong dedication to the Rastafari movement, Elder Ras Lojuron served as the chairman of the Rastafari Society of Kenya and was the High Priest of the Nyahbinghi Order — the most ancient and sacred order within the Rastafarian faith.
His leadership reached across borders as a key member of the Rastafari Continental Council, which unites Rastafari leaders from across Africa.
Beyond his spiritual duties, Ras Lojuron was a passionate advocate for civil rights and religious freedom in Kenya.
He tirelessly championed the formal recognition of the Rastafarian faith as a legitimate religion and was a vocal proponent for the legalization of marijuana for religious and medicinal purposes.
His efforts were instrumental in shifting legal perspectives, including a landmark High Court ruling that recognized Rastafarianism as a religion deserving of the same protections as others.
One notable case saw Justice Enoch Chacha Mwita rule in favor of a Rastafarian student expelled from Olympic High School in Nairobi for her dreadlocked hair — a decision that reaffirmed the community’s constitutional right to freedom of religion and education.
Ras Lojuron’s influence extended beyond religious activism. He was the founder of the Haile Selassie I Foundation in Kenya, an organization committed to preserving African heritage, promoting cultural education, and celebrating the teachings of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, whom Rastafarians revere as a divine figure.
His lineage also carried political weight. Ras Lojuron’s father, Aggrey Jaden, was a pioneering South Sudanese nationalist who led early movements for the country’s independence.
He also served as president of the Sudan African National Union (SANU) and the Southern Sudan Provisional Government, remembered for his unwavering commitment to self-determination.
Since news of Elder Ras Lojuron’s passing broke, thousands of Rastafarians and admirers from across the continent and the diaspora have paid tribute to the revered leader, celebrating his indelible impact on culture, faith, and social justice.
