Supporters of Ezekiel Mutua expressed anger after learning that Kenya’s only “moral cop” had been fired as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO} of the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) while on official duty.
And his detractors led by comedian Eric Omondi were over the moon in celebrating the ouster after it emerged that Mutua had been replaced at the KFCB by Chris Wambua in acting capacity.
Omondi celebrated, gloated and bragged on social media that he promised to have Mutua fired and kept the promise.
Mutua appeared caught off-guard by the removal because he had earlier in the day and through social media denied the ouster saying there was no CEO vacancy at the board.
“My attention has been drawn to reports on social media to the effect that I have been fired as CEO of KFCB. Please ignore such malicious rumors. Iam not aware of such development and there is no grain of truth in them as there is no vacancy in the officer of the CEO KFCB,” he wrote.
Parents who have supported Mutua’s energetic and sometimes controversial campaign on clean content on the media landscape expressed anger and demanded that he be recalled to his former job. They predicted that the war on cleaning the airwaves would falter.
One parent described the sacking as a disaster saying Mutua had helped clean the content and that his departure would mark the end of KFCB
At the time of his firing he was busy at work at Amazing Eagles Technical College in Kiambu during their career day where he said he was amazed to see young people articulating ideas and providing solutions to challenges facing society.
His message was the “Life of an Eagle: Lessons on Change and Transformation’, a poignant message considering what was going on behind the scenes touching on him.
On KFCB, he told the students that the Board was keen on supporting initiatives that are geared towards empowering the youth.
Adoring fans nicknamed Mutua the “moral policeman” after he decided not to sleep as agents of immorality took over the country’s airwaves.
He created powerful enemies when he took on alcohol manufacturers for promoting alcohol consumption to children.
Mutua also took head on the powerful and wealthy betting companies who had also taken over radio and television stations. He had had several run-ins with artists and advertisers over issues relating to clean content.
