8 reasons why Kenyans despise Ezekiel Mutua
It appears the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) chief executive officer (CEO) Ezekiel Mutua has a knack of always getting under the skin of Kenyans.
Ever since his appointment as the head of the parastatal, Mutua has been irking Kenyans with nearly all his actions and statements, earning him the tag of being one of the most unpopular persons in the country.
Here are instances in which Mutua has been involved in has that has left Kenyans seething with anger.
8. Kenya Film Bill
The Mutua-led KFCB has sponsored a Film Bill which is seen to go against the freedom of expression that was proudly enshrined in the 2010 Kenyan Constitution.
This included freedom to seek, receive or impart ideas as well as artistic creativity.
The Bill, however, seeks to ensure that no stage play may be exhibited in a place to which the public is invited to attend unless it has been classified by the board.
A contravention of this will impose a fine of two hundred thousand shillings or a term of two years imprisonment or both.
Enraged Kenyans are currently signing an online petition for the disbandment of the KFCB Board as a result of this since it is deemed retrogressive in the gains made towards popularising art as a means of livelihood.
7. ‘Project X’ party
One of the ‘Project X’ poster. (Photo; Kiss.co.ke)
The ‘biggest’ sex party in town never saw the light of day angering many Kenyan teens who were eagerly anticipating the event.
The moral high priest Mutua outlawed the party on the grounds that “videos featuring pornography and drug abuse were to be recorded at the scene.”
6. Rainbow speed dating
Mutua this year banned a girl’s only speed dating party that was to take place in Nairobi.
Read Also: ‘Lesbians Party’ In Kenya Said To Have Been Set For Filming Adult Content Banned By KFCB Boss
In a statement, Mutua said the use of the phrase “Girls Only” implied that the party would have been an orgy of lesbians and hence the ban.
5. Same Love song
In February this year, Mutua banned the remix to the song Same Love by Kenyan band Art Attack.
He said that the song “did not adhere to the morals of the country” and that it advocated for same-sex and gay rights.
4. Coca Cola advert
A screen grab of the Coke advert. (Photo: bbci.co.uk)
In April this year, Mutua clashed with global soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola after over an advert which he deemed to contain “offensive kissing scenes”.
The “Taste the Feeling” advertisement, which featured a brief session where a man and women are seen in a compromising position, was edited to remove the scenes which he said violated family values.
3. Netflix saga
The good news that US-based firm Netflix would be finally streaming movies in Kenya did not last long.
The KFCB team led by Mutua labeled Netflix as a threat to Kenya’s national security due to the kind of content it was streaming.
It further said that Netflix would be operating in Kenya illegally and its content was meant for audiences younger than 13 years yet they are full of violence, drugs and pornography, something that had the potential to radicalise children.
2. Rescheduling of popular radio and tv programmes
Mutua has also in recent past incurred the wrath of angry Kenyans online after he called for the rescheduling of popular programmes from the watershed period of between 5am to 10pm.
Programmes such as Maina and King’angi in the morning and the marital counseling session by Bi Msafwari, contained lewd content unsuitable for a general audience.
He also banned television stations from filming wedding shows from videographers with no film licenses.
1. Diplomatic passport fiasco
A shot of Ezekiel Mutua’s diplomatic passport. (Photo: Jamhurinews)
Perhaps what enraged Kenyans the most was the diplomatic passport saga a few weeks ago.were enraged and took to social media after Mutua a few weeks ago bragged by posting a photo of the passport and how he obtained it.
Incensed Kenyans took to social media after Mutua bragged by posting a photo of the passport and how he obtained it.
After the uproar, the Immigration Department acted swiftly and announced that Mutua’s passport will be revoked and be issued instead with an ordinary one.
