Kenya: Tighten Noose On Hate-Mongers, Kibunjia Urged

INFORMATION minister Samuel Poghisio has urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to crackdown on musicians and radio stations that propagate hate speech. Poghisio said the country needs stringent measures to root out hatemongers in the run up to the general election.He called on NCIC chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia to deal with such cases decisively. "This is a very sensitive time in our country and we would like to crackdown on hate speeches so that we don't go through what we went through in 2007," the minister said. "Whatever happens to those musicians or to others like them, I believe that Kibunjia commission will be able to prosecute that."

Poghisio spoke on Tuesday evening when he officially launched the GOTV signal in Mombasa. Three musicians Kamande wa Kioi, Muigai Wa Njoroge and John DeMathew have already been charged with composing songs that promote hate speech. The commission has contacted the Media Council of Kenya in a bid to stop all media houses from playing the said songs. A radio station that plays the music would be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh1 million, according to the Act.

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