The following paragraphs have been rated GE, and they are, therefore, suitable for general family reading. - @NationAfrica
However, because they tell the story of a moral policeman who is being accused of not being too moral with term limits and public funds, some sentences may upset taxpayers below the age of 120.
The paragraphs are about @EzekielMutua Nyithya, the man who – since his appointment as CEO of @KFCBarstool in October 2016 – became a moral policeman with something to say on events, adverts, films, songs, pastors, name it.
He banned some, scathingly criticised others, and even got personal with some individuals.
For instance, he censored little when he tweeted on comedian Eric Omondi in February 2018: “How sad that anyone looks up to this clown for a role model!”
That is why these paragraphs, though rated GE, may cause extreme excitement and an adrenaline rush on Omondi and other creatives below the age of 120.
“You cannot bite the hand that feeds you. We are your employers,” the comedian posted on Friday.
“You cannot bite the hand that feeds you. We are your employers,” the comedian posted on Friday.
Mr Mutua’s outing on Friday ended an era where he clashed with many artists and the public; an era where his frequent remarks about morality earned him the title “Deputy Jesus”.
Some people are not corrupt just because they do not have the opportunity. While senior officers with more responsibility on public resources are more vulnerable, corruption is systemic. - Ezekiel Mutua, Dec 2020
Why can’t we have content that demonises corrupt people while appreciating heroic acts of ordinary citizens who toil for food? - Ezekiel Mutua, Sept 2019
When the moral fabric of a nation is in tatters, you get people like Mugo Wairimu operating with impunity. We demonise saints and canonise thieves. It begins with corruption and the inappropriate content media feeds our kids with for money - Ezekiel Mutua, Nov 2018
He could have continued with that line beyond October when his term was to end, but efforts by @InfoKfcb board to extend his term beyond the two three-year terms normally allowed have been thwarted.
If this were a movie, it would be one where the starring character fights stronger powers and is dethroned unceremoniously.
Mr Mutua was appointed under a law that came into effect in October 1, 1963.
As was typical of colonial-era laws, Films and Stage Plays Act had many bullish provisions, like demanding that every script of every film be submitted to @InfoKfcb for approval, giving police powers to storm premises where films are aired, and generally entrenching censorship.
The law has had many modifications along the way, but its colonial spirit remains. The requirement of submitting scripts to @InfoKfcb – explaining every scene, word – is still there. Every film poster has to be approved. Police can still be legally sent to supervise filming.
The law came to effect when music videos were a nascent concept (it wasn’t until the 1970s that artistes started banking on the power of video to push songs).
The law was passed decades before YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms were created. The internet itself was born 20 years after the Act was enforced.
As such, some of the content Mr Mutua so fervently spoke about was never in the imagination of those who drafted the 1963 law.
But for the former copy editor who was once the secretary-general of the Kenya Union of Journalists — during which time controversy brewed over disappearance of cash and of television sets meant for award-winning journalists— nothing was off limits.
He has often explained it as his role in helping uphold good morals, which has won him a fair share of admirers over the years.
With him being sent on leave pending his exit, the time has come to run the film credits on the story of Mr Mutua at @InfoKfcb. Of course he will get lots of roles in those credits.
They might call him visibility manager, chief banning officer, giver of social media promises to artistes (empty and otherwise), tweeter-in-chief, moralist, critic of Eric Omondi and Alvindo, among others.
Because @EACCKenya is investigating claims of irregular salaries, allowances at @InfoKfcb under his tenure, they might call that film Ezekiel M Tour, the “M” can stand for anything — money, moral cop, @MoICTKenya, Mwongozo govt rules that stood in the way of his term’s extension
A toast to the exit of moral cop and Deputy Jesus @ezekielmutua of @InfoKfcb bit.ly/3yyYfPk
Good riddance.
Good riddance.
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