THE DR. WILLY MUTUNGA DEBATE.

I had intentionally refrained myself from being drawn into these shenanigans concerning the capability of Dr. Willy Mutunga as the new Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya. So more considering the fact that his appointment lies in line to the implementation of the New Constitution, a matter that has unfortunately been so much politicised by our leaders. The implementation has literally stalled, O.D.M and P.N.U taking ages to come up with a committee to vet these appointments. (including the deputy c.j and the chief government prosecutor) The longer the vetting awaits, the more time people are getting to tarnish his reputation and to give numerous conditions to his appointment. The most vocal arguably being the church who believe that the minor fact that Dr. Willy Mutunga dons a stud in his left ear is enough to disqualify him as a potential chief justice, a stand I think is so misplaced, so substandard and so malicious. The fact that he has cleared the allegations surrounding his stud seems not to quell the storm. Despite adamantly declaring that he has no intention of removing his stud, he has made it clear that the rather barbaric misconception associated with studs and homosexuality is not applicable to his case. His stud is spiritual, he speaks to his ancestors, they told him to wear the stud... What's the big deal?

Men and earrings didn't start their relationship just the other day. If those conservativsts are for real then maybe they should be stopping our female counterparts from wearing this ornament, other than men. Men have worn earrings for as long as civilization has existed. Jade earrings dating to 3000 BC have been found in Southeast Asia. Many of those earrings adorned men, not women. Modern day questions about what earring wearing symbolizes for men are rooted in phobias about sexuality and gender. The basis of those phobias is the belief that gender is a strict binary relationship, that one can only be one or the other, and that anything that does not make it absolutely clear what gender you are takes away your masculinity and makes you a homosexual. Binary genderism requires an all or nothing approach to gender expression. The reality, though, is that trends come and go as fashions rooted in historical necessity fade into obscurity. Wearing a stud therefore really bears no definite character definition, it is a fashion statement as any other. Our fore fathers in Kenya actually did wear rings in their ears, and were never a reason for them not to become elders in their respective communities. From the first time primitive man pierced himself with a tooth or a bit of bone, earrings were one of many adornments that spoke of power: the ability to conquer something larger and more dangerous than himself, in order to protect himself, the tribe and the local food supply. Use of horns and teeth were particularly prized, as these showed just how difficult the battle for survival had been, proving the man's fitness to mate, to hunt and to lead. From these bone ornaments, earrings evolved to include any rare and difficult to obtain substance that could be molded, shaped, carved or otherwise embellished to attract attention and give the message that the wearer was someone who mattered. They were a sign of great people. Not losers as some people tend to think. Earrings and other jewelry were symbols of power, wealth and ownership. Women were only gifted with earrings and other jewelry upon becoming brides. Those who chose to serve the powerful and wealthy rather than seek their own power and wealth took earrings and other jewelry in exchange for their pledge of service. This only goes to show that there is no much ado concerning a stud on a man's ear, hence its so stupid of us to let a country revolve around such a minor jewellery. 

The simple reason that Dr. Willy Mutunga, a man of integrity and more so a champion of change wears a stud should not be a reason to go for a mediocre professional. Those other judges that have previously been in the courts have their hands smeared with corruption and guilt, they do not deserve the post either. I mean, who else is more capable? Mind you, Dr. Willy Mutunga has had himself  imprisoned for his activism, he is the right person suited for the job.

The other possibly contentious issue is that concerning Dr. Mutunga and his claims of speaking to his ancestors. The question in hand is whether this is associated to what most would term, 'dark forces'. Traditionally, our fore-fathers would often speak to their ancestors. N.B speaking to ancestors is completely different from reincarnations of the dead, as ancestors are dead, yet an ancestor is not just any dead person. Not professing the same religions as Dr. Willy Mutunga, I wouldn't want to rush into judging him on his religious belief. However, our country boasts of an active Supreme Council of Muslim Elders who have in the past been fast to direct Kenyans concerning Muslim beliefs. If the council finds it appropriate for him, I find it rather hilarious that those that seem to judge him are from extremely opposite beliefs. What I however do infer is that the church is fast to judge since they are inwardly discriminatory in relation to religious divide. If so is the case, Lord have mercy.

Ironically, a day after the Catholic Church came out spitting fire concerning the looming appointment, one of their own men of the cloth was apprehended for sodomy claims. Maybe the Church needs to clean up its closet before openly discriminating others.

It is also interesting that the same people who fought against the new constitution are the first to disqaulify these appointments. Remember the church and the likes of Ruto spearheading the red team? The same are opposed to these appointments. They are non reformists who are sittinh themselves into cocoons and comfort-zones and do not wish that what they fought against is now reigning supreme. Its high time we gave up listening to them, because even Nehemiah, had he listened to those who opposed him, Jerusalem's temples would have never been built.

  Kenya currently has no chief justice as Evans Gicheru retired after his term ended. Therefore for a currently that is in dire need of Judicial reform, it is wise for those appointments to be made early enough. The New Constitution creates a more versatile chief justice, and likewise a strong judiciary, hence the best, and only the best should be entrusted with this jobs. For me, none is better than Dr. Willy Mutunga.