Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua is a man under fire for remaining unmoved and unshaken about his push for clean content and upholding moral standards in the country.
Mutua, often labelled as ‘moral police’, stressed on Saturday, September 30, that he had no apologies to make for his firm stand on lesbianism, gay culture and other vices in society.
“Someone said: ‘The hottest places in hell are reserved for people who, at a time of moral crisis, choose to be neutral.’ I refuse to be neutral when the moral fibre of the country is at stake. I have no apologies for my stand. I believe I am doing God’s will. I am saving lives,” Mutua wrote on Twitter.
Mutua’s stand did not sit well with Economist David Ndii over his continued watch over the Kenyan moral set up.
Ndii pointed out Mutua’s Christian life guides his decision-making in critical areas on the Kenyan creative industry.
“Morality is not synonymous with Christianity. Kenya is a secular State and your religion should have no influence on your job. You continue to demonstrate that education was wasted on you,” Ndii reacted to the KFCB boss’s remarks on Twitter.
Mutua recently banned a movie dubbed Rafiki over content that KFCB deemed as a threat to societal morals.
The High Court on Friday temporarily lifted the ban imposed by KFCB on Rafiki film to allow it be considered for an award at the Oscars.
The producer of the movie, Wanuri Kahiu, sued KFCB on Tuesday (11/09/18).
Through lawyers Sofia Leteipan and Waikwa Wanyoike, Ms Kahiu argued that the Mutua-led board limited her freedom of expression and adjudged her creativity.
The movie tells a story of two girls who fall in love and struggle to navigate their newfound romance in a society that frowns on same-sex relationships.
Ziki and Kena (centre), the lead actors in Rafiki. [Courtesy]
Rafiki missed out on Oscar nominations on Friday.
The controversial movie had been submitted for an Oscar nomination under the Best Foreign Language Film category.
“At that time it remained banned, therefore presenting a challenge as it failed to meet the Oscar Academy requirements,” a statement read.
However, one Kenyan film, Supa Modo, was selected for the Oscars.
Supa Modo is a film highlighting the challenges faced by a single mother and her family dealing with a terminally ill child.
