Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ezekiel Mutua opened up on losing his job as a journalist on Sunday, February 23, as he offered advice to Kenyans on how to deal with toxic bosses.
Mutua, who worked at Nation Media Group (NMG) between 1994 and 2002, disclosed that he was fired from the job after standing up to one of his bosses.
Mutua maintained that his experiences with 'bosses from hell' had taught him several lessons.
"I have worked under great bosses, but along my career path, there were some from hell. I stood up to all of them and paid the price," he began.
The controversial 'moral police' went on to reveal that he was fired in 2002 after nine years working at the media house.
"I was sacked summarily in 2002 after nine years as a journalist in one of the leading company houses in Kenya. I have been interdicted for six months and punished severely," he recalled.
Mutua joined NMG as a trainee reporter in 1994 and rose up the ranks, eventually becoming an editor before his dismissal. He warned toxic bosses that tables could turn and they could find themselves working for their former juniors.
"But I have always had to stand up to bullies and learned never to be like them. The people you shout at because they are your juniors could be your bosses tomorrow!" he wrote.
After his stint with Nation, Mutua continued to serve as Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), a position he held between 2001 and 2007.
He moved on to the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT) where he served as the Director of Information and Public Communications between 2007 and 2011.
Mutua also served as a Director in several state corporations including the Brand Kenya Board, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Media Council of Kenya and the Vision 2030 Secretariat.
It was his appointment to lead KFCB in 2015 that thrust him into the national limelight, however, as he rubbed many the wrong way with his zealous determination to ensure Kenyan content including music videos and movies remain 'decent'.
