The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ezekiel Mutua has launched a personal attack against BBC journalist Larry Madowo.
Madowo had referred to the banning of Wanuri Kahiu's film Rafiki by KFCB noting: "She got a standing ovation at #Cannes2018 Who's laughing now?"
Larry had also penned an article in The Washington Post titled "Kenya’s homophobia is not the only dangerous thing about the ban on ‘Rafiki’."
[caption caption="Larry Madowo with former colleague Victoria Rubadiri"]
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His opinions in the article, however, did not sit well with Mutua, the self-declared moral police, who went ballistic on him.
"Larry Madowo is a successful journalist but he is no paragon of virtue. He has no moral authority to lecture anyone about life, family or Godliness. Get a wife Chief and settle down!"
Mutua's sentiments, however, seemingly backfired on him with a majority of Madowo's fans coming to his defense.
Public officers cannot engage citizens in this manner . You are out of order . We must learn to restrain ourselves howsoever provoked .
— Sen Mutula KilonzoJR (@SenMutula) May 15, 2018
So now after being so busy yapping about wildebeest statues you are here to tell Larry Madowo to get married? You are out of order.
— Anjeyo Ananda (@anj_116_) May 15, 2018
KFCB new mandate is to force single Kenyans to marry....
— julius masiga (@jaymasiga) May 15, 2018
Will a wife give what you say he lacks? If so... So many wives ain't doing a good job! Including...
— #TearsOfThePen (@quiqarre) May 15, 2018
Bcoz getting a wife is a measure of molarity or what.....get alive
— Lawrence P (@neskylee) May 15, 2018
You’re one of those guys who write their marital status on their CVs, right? I bet it’s what got you the job.
— Karùri wa Nyaga. (@knyaga) May 15, 2018
Because having a wife and settling down has helped you how? Marriage isn't a standard of great accomplishment. It may be to you. But not everyone views it as such. I don't agree with Larry but that's his view. Engage him on the basis of his opinion not this.
— Greeciology (@rcnjuguna) May 15, 2018
@EzekielMutua A classic example of not tackling the issue at hand and instead, attacking the person.
— dan (@poloman_dan) May 15, 2018
Larry had castigated Mutua over banning Wanuri's movie noting that: "Rafiki," a lesbian love story directed by Wanuri Kahiu, was the first Kenyan film to be selected to screen at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Terming the recognition as "no small feat for a low-budget, independent movie," Madowo told Mutua off over the decision.
"But instead of being celebrated here in Kenya, the film has been banned because of "its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law."
"Arguing that "Rafiki" (the Swahili word for "friend," ironically) is somehow incompatible with "the dominant values of Kenyan society" and normalizes homosexuality has become all too common.
"The idea that homosexuality is a product that can be promoted by a film is not only laughable, but it reveals the backward mind-set of those who make the rules in Kenya.
"A government agency that is supposed to classify domestic and foreign movies (KFCB) has become the official moral censorship vehicle," Madowo's article reads in part.
So the Catholic priests should not advice on matters to do with Marriage?! You also need to go to school. What if they are trained?
— Samuel Wakhungu (@wakhungutuku) May 15, 2018
How is this your concern? Larry is at BBC making us proud while you're here in Kenya embarrassing us internationally abeg. Get a life.
— What do you mean? (@sonnienjoki) May 15, 2018
— The George (@gmwahome) May 15, 2018
— will.i.am (@am_will_i) May 15, 2018
Boss act your age! I think you’re becoming a major threat to our moral values
— Zab! (@eric_onchonga) May 15, 2018
Who told @EzekielMutua that getting a wife is settling down?
— Jontae254 (@Jontae254) May 15, 2018
This is uncalled for. You are out of order mister.
— Ian Oyaro (@Ian4oyarow) May 15, 2018
Yes you have settled down. mention one meaningful thing you have done to Kenyans
— Eric_Tush (@RealTushke) May 15, 2018
We gave you the mandate of carrying out public duties, stop overstepping that mandate. You're casting aspersions on your personality!!! #SayNoToKFCBMadness #IstandwithApolloMboya
— Gregory Munene HSC (@GregoryMunene2) May 15, 2018
Huwezi ambia Larry hivyo.he is the best Kenyan ambassador out there.don't touch Gods annointed
— team hustle (@Antony04551703) May 15, 2018
Wueh SHOTs fired BT I don't mind pic.twitter.com/1xxv5Fqv9x
— sema chege (@chege09558505) May 15, 2018
@EzekielMutua on behalf of Larry I would like you to go read a book by Ngûgî Wa Thiong’o -Ngaahika Ndeeda (I will marry when I want) a few characters in that story represent nosy people like you.
— Njeri Njeri (@wakaranjaw) May 15, 2018
Society should stop qualifying men’s success with their marital status.
— Akach Jim (@AkachJ) May 15, 2018
Village thoughts.....That one must have a wife for him to speak out his mind....what a shame bwana Mutua
— Chris Allan (@ChrisAllan13) May 15, 2018
Shots fired
Man down. I repeat man down pic.twitter.com/dmRo9O6rhZ— Stanley O (@jr_stanlee) May 15, 2018
A wife does not define a man. @WMutunga is a best example of great men that have done more good than harm to this country without having a wife. U can't judge @LarryMadowo without facts. Urs maybe the community ATM
— Uncle Neeson (@Hodgemanspecial) May 15, 2018
Being a grown-up is very important in your position, isn't it? Definitely your response shows a lack of ethical behaviour... i am married with children, so?
— Mativo M Mureithi (@MativoMureithi) May 15, 2018
So u have bn appointed as relationship&marital chairperson, singles meetings secretary general, hahaha , cheap publicity is what I hate!?
— wande (@findufichenja) May 15, 2018
@EzekielMutua Don’t worry about Larry he is a grown smart man he will solve his love matter at his own time if he feels like.Just go back to those two JKIA wildebeests and have that pep talk with them.
— Njeri Njeri (@wakaranjaw) May 15, 2018
— Kenyan Patriot (@KE_2017Election) May 15, 2018
Get a wife Chief and settle down', seriously?? You have no moral authority to lecture people about life, family and Godliness.
— Linda Agola (@AgolaLinda) May 15, 2018
