It can’t protect you: Abel Mutua says Kenya’s Constitution is like tissue
By Valerian Khakayi, September 25, 2026Kenyan filmmaker and storyteller Abel Mutua has dismissed the protection he believes the Constitution offers ordinary Kenyans, comparing it to tissue.
Speaking during a candid conversation on the Kisiangani Podcast on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Mutua said the Constitution offers little protection, arguing that Kenyans only realise this when they find themselves in difficult situations.
He likened the Constitution to tissue and questioned its ability to protect people when they need it most.
“Hiyo kitu inaitwa constitution hiyo ni tissue hakuna mahali inakuprotect, usiwai jidanganya. Sahi jipate kwa shida ndio utajua hakuna constitution inakuprotect,” Mutua said.
Mutua was defending his earlier remarks calling for a strong leader to temporarily suspend the Constitution to deal with people he believes are breaking the law.
He made the remarks while explaining why he believes Kenya needs a leader with a “good head on their shoulders” and the country’s interests at heart.
“Ile wakati nilisema tunataka mtu ako na good head on their shoulders and affair ya Kenya at heart aingie pale na a suspend hiyo constitution dakika tano na adeal na wakora, watu walipiga kelele,” he explained.
Mutua questions bail system
Mutua also questioned how the justice system handles suspects who are taken to court, arguing that some accused persons can secure bail and later interfere with cases.
“You will have all the evidence upeleke huyu mtu kortini, they will be out in 24 hours,” he said.
He then questioned what happens after suspects are released on bail.
“Constitution inasema wacha mtu apatiwe bail akae nje but akiwa nje ni nini anafanya? Kuna some high-profile cases witnesses wameanza kupotea. Hiyo constitution ndio unataka tudeal na huyo mtu? That same constitution?” Mutua said.
His comments echo his earlier argument that a temporary suspension of the Constitution would allow a strong leader to take action against people he considers criminals.
Mutua on the system
Mutua further claimed that Kenya’s institutions have been infiltrated by individuals who understand how to manipulate the system.
“The system is messed up; these guys have infiltrated the institutions. Hiyo constitution wako ndani, wanajua vile kuimanupilate tunachezea game,” he said.
It is worth noting that his claims about witnesses disappearing and the justice system were presented as his own assertions; the remarks do not by themselves establish that the Constitution or the justice system causes such outcomes.