Willy Mutunga denounces body-shaming of women
By Aloys Michael, August 3, 2025Willy Mutunga, Kenya’s former Chief Justice and veteran human rights advocate, has sharply criticised the practice of body‑shaming women, affirming that such behaviour not only degrades individuals but wounds the very Creator in whose image they were made.
Mutunga’s statement comes amid rising public awareness in Kenya about the negative impacts of body image policing and online harassment.
Mental health advocates warn that body‑shaming can trigger depression, eating disorders, and chronic anxiety, especially among women pressured by both cultural norms and Western ideals.
In a statement on his X account on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Mutunga reiterated his long-held view that human beings are created in the image of Allah/God, and that to shame someone for their physical appearance is to dishonour divine creation.
“We are created in the image of ALLAH/GOD/CREATOR. Body shaming, particularly of women, wounds our CREATOR/GOD/ALLAH,” the statement read.
He argued that body‑shaming particularly targets women and reinforces patriarchal control over female bodies, a legacy that conflicts with the dignity the Constitution seeks to uphold.
While Mutunga has not issued statements specifically targeting women’s body shaming in recent press, his previous public remarks reflect a consistent line: mockery based on physical appearance is unacceptable.
Mutunga defending women
In 2017, he courted controversy when he jokingly remarked on Twitter regarding a picture of pastors that “very few ‘men of God’ are lean. Although framed as a light-hearted comment, it drew criticism as a form of fat-shaming. He has since not repeated such remarks in public debate.
Nonetheless, human rights advocates point to Mutunga’s broader commitment to human dignity and respect across all spectrums, from gender rights to protecting marginalised communities. He has spoken out in defence of marginalised groups, urging society to resist laws, norms, and language that degrade people based on identity or appearance.
In contextualising his message, Mutunga recalled founding constitutional jurisprudence that emphasises equality and freedom from discrimination. He dissented in the 2012 gender‑representation advisory opinion, arguing that the law must be implemented immediately and not gradually, demonstrating his impatience with half‑measures on equity.
The legal veteran emphasised that the struggle for human dignity is not just a legal issue but also a moral, spiritual, and cultural one. He called for collective introspection and respect: whatever the body, its human essence deserves honour, not shame.