This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, Mathenge Mukundi, a 24-year-old Rastafarian, made history by becoming the first advocate of the High Court of Kenya to be admitted to the bar with his head wrapped in a turban instead of the traditional barrister wig.
Mathenge, who graduated with a Degree in Law from Kenyatta University before joining the Kenya School of Law, says he was shocked by the reaction to his unconventional choice.
"I am just a simple person pursuing my dreams. As a Rastafarian, I couldn't remove my turban and wear the wig when being admitted to the bar. I informed the relevant authorities, and they were very supportive," Mathenge told Nairobi News.
Despite the attention, Mathenge remains humble and focused on his passion for fighting for human rights. He cites the late Marcus Garvey, a political activist, as one of his inspirations.
Mathenge's journey to the bar was not without its challenges. He had to be creative to survive on campus, taking up nail art as a means to earn a living. He also faced discrimination from some lecturers who viewed his Rastafarian faith as a hindrance to his profession.
"Even on campus, some lecturers openly said I was eroding the good profession of law because I'm a Rastafarian. I want to change this narrative because Rastafarians have been neglected for far too long," Mathenge says.
Mathenge is now eager to start job hunting and put his skills to use in the legal profession. He sells clothes online and hopes to find a job soon, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
