Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS), Esther Koimett has reminded leaders to be the custodians of peace and unifying agents among the citizenry to avoid acts and talk that may balkanize communities.
Ms Koimet noted that the political class plays a major role in promoting stability of the country and should always commit to preaching and promoting peace.
“Our leaders should refrain from any utterances that may cause division among our diverse communities, even as they crisscross the country soliciting for votes and we must all strive to foster peace in our daily communications,” she observed.
The PS was speaking in Elgeyo Marakwet during a tree planting exercise at Kessup Forest where she also urged the residents to take matters environment seriously and to play their part in ensuring that the country achieves the 10 per cent tree cover target.
Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) CEO, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, who also took part in the exercise urged musicians and political leaders to propagate peace during the forthcoming electioneering period amidst the heightened political temperatures experienced during such times.
Dr. Mutua also appealed to stakeholders in the music industry to embrace civil language and shun any form of hate speech that is likely to create unnecessary tension in the Country.
“One of the major areas used in spreading animosity is music. Songs that spread hatred have no place in our modern society and it’s our collective responsibility to denounce any kind of utterances that hamper peace, cohesion and unity in the society,” he noted.
The CEO decried consequences of such irresponsible musical content that has previously inflamed the country, terming it as dangerous, but warned that government agencies were on high alert to crackdown on unwarranted messages.
“Government agencies are on high alert and any content which is a threat to national security will be pulled down and individuals found culpable subjected to face full force of the law,” he warned.
At the same time, Dr. Mutua urged musicians to resist being used by politicians to destabilize the nation, but instead they should become ambassadors of peace in enhancing unity and prosperity of the Nation.
“I want to urge our musicians not to give us unnecessary work of chasing them around to do the right thing. And if this country burns, we will all lose and nobody wants that,” pleaded the CEO.
Dr. Mutua lamented that the internet and social media regulation remains a global challenge, but as KFCB they have partnered with Google in regulating content reaching young children and warned that the commission will ensure any uncouth content will be pulled down in the shortest time possible.
“Through KFCB and Google partnerships we have been able to pull down dozens of music that propagates unwarranted behavior. Again, we are going to sign another partnership with Google all in the name of bringing moral sanity in our society,” Dr. Mutua disclosed.
Dr. Mutua also said that KFCB has started a program on digital parenting aimed at enlightening parents to monitor their children on the usage of digital platforms.
By Hassan Adan Ali
