Former Chief Justice, Willy Mutunga rattled Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua, after the latter urged Kenyans to support their leaders.
"No country has ever progressed by hating its leaders. If you don't like them change them, but once you elect someone into office, for heaven's sake support them, pray for them and do your part as a citizen to contribute to the development of your country," Mutua tweeted on Mutua on Friday, April 17,
His remarks irked Mutunga who was among the first to poke holes in Mutua's sentiments.
"I believe the evidence points to the leaders hating and killing the people they lead as they continue to under-develop the countries they rule," Mutunga responded.
"Wewe nyamaza. Kula pension quietly. (Keep quiet and enjoy your pension peacefully) Didn't you know this when you were the Chief Justice?" Mutua lashed back.
The KFCB boss while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke further explained his post and spoke in detail on the stress level and irresponsibility Kenyans were showcasing as the country faced a crisis.
"In Kenya that you are popular until you get into office, then people want to kick you out. It's hard to be a decent leader in Kenya. I do agree that those who hold public offices should be accountable to public scrutiny and criticism, but it should be constructive criticism. We deserve the leaders we elect and then after electing them we abuse them for five years yet we had a choice. This undermines our power to demonstrate our election rights and forces a leader to hype issues for recognition. In Kenya when you are a noisy leader, the media cover you a lot but when you are silent and work in honesty no one wants to recognise your work.
"An example was a nice post by Kalonzo Musyoka on the steps the government should take in action with Covid-19 and one guy labelled him a sycophant who had sold out his community. They make it so difficult for good people to be leaders and that's why people get into office and steal. People should know that they should be responsible and give positive opinions and criticism," Mutua stated.
He went on to indicate that some of the causes of too much negativity are the high-stress levels and the Coronavirus crisis, which if not handled properly would cause more headache and trouble.
"Honestly I believe that one of the issues prevalent right now is stress and the inability of Kenyans to make ends meet. I think a lot of people who are used to the hype of social media and hiding behind keyboards to insult people. Funny enough, I made my remark today and an individual who ought to be responsible, former CJ Mutunga makes a very negative comment.
"There is a lot of toxicity, but you can find solutions to your problems and ways to release stress. There are a lot of people my office is helping out because of the good work they are doing. You can find help in a positive way. You heard Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi pinpointing how domestic violence is on the rise. After this pandemic, we shall be dealing with other pandemics like murders, suicides, manslaughters. The youth will never win by being negative," Mutua warned.
His remark sparked a debate as other Kenyans swiftly joined in, with one questioning Mutua's stand on banning local music, while seemingly supporting corrupt leaders.
"Ezekiel Mutua on secular content: ban, condemn. Ezekiel on corrupt leaders: pray for them," one Otenyo hit back.
Mutua, however, argued that he had a duty to protect Kenyans on the type of content they were consuming, as every action has a consequence.
"Right now we are also strict about the type of content being aired or produced. Parents and adults should be cautious of the content they and their children are consuming. People are forgetting that there will be life after Coronavirus and our actions right now may come back to haunt us," Mutua warned again.
