Phil Kimemia, husband of actress Celestine Gachuhi, has opened up about his choice to remove his turban in a candid interview with Ala C.
“I made a personal decision,” he explained. “Growing up, I faced bullying for wearing a turban, which was very frustrating. I wanted to find my own path. Although Celestine preferred that I keep it, I have always wanted to sport dreadlocks. I eventually shaved my head at the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021.”
When discussing the benefits of removing his turban, Phil shared, “I really disliked being called a Mukurino. It felt quite insulting, and I also hated the name Wagithomo.”
In contrast, Phil’s sister, Emcee Wakarima, has chosen to keep her turban. “I love my turban. It’s not the reason for my talent; it’s simply part of who I am. I stopped attending the Akorino church after my wedding, and while I face a lot of criticism for my choice, it actually motivates me and opens doors for me.”
Addressing the superstition surrounding the removal of turbans, Wakarima stated, “Some people believe that removing a turban can lead to madness, often attributing it to unclean altars in churches. If that were true, many in my family would be mad, as most have removed their turbans, leaving only two of us still wearing them.”
