Homeboyz Radio which is under the umbrella of Radio Africa Group has terminated the contracts of Shaffie Weru, Joseph Munoru (DJ Mfalme), and Neville Muysa with immediate effect.
Homeboyz Radio General Manager Somoina Kimonjino, issued a statement on the evening of Saturday, March 27, noting that it was the right thing to do.
"Our partners and listeners will not be surprised by this action to terminate their services as it is the right thing to do," said Kimonjino.
"The comments of said erstwhile employees were neither authorized, approved nor cleared with the company nor was the subject discussed and or authorized by the company’s senior leadership. We are deeply disappointed in their conduct."
The termination follows a comprehensive review of the comments made on the station on Thursday morning and their subsequent suspension from employment.
According to the statement, the trio’s conduct constitutes gross misconduct and an egregious breach of the company’s editorial policies.
“The company and its subsidiaries do not condone gender-based violence or any form of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse nor does it subscribe to the view shared by the three employees," she said.
In addition, the Radio boss assured all Homeboyz Radio partners and listeners across the country that the station was committed to ensuring that presenters and producers are regularly trained on media and gender issues, the ethics of reporting on issues of gender-based violence, and sexual assault, inclusivity, and diversity.
Kimonjino further thanked the citizens for demanding more from the media industry at large insisting that the entity will serve its mandate with good taste and decency.
The three were suspended on Friday, March 26, following an uproar on social media after Kenyans called them out for their remarks they made on his morning show, Lift Off, on Thursday March 25.
Shaffie Weru alongside his co-hosts, Neville Musya and Dj Joe Mfalme were accused of shaming a sexual violence survivor after her boyfriend threw her off the 12th floor of a building because she refused to spend the night at his place.
The three presenters issued public apologies, but some Kenyans weren’t convinced that they were sincere.
East African Breweries (EABL) pulled its advertisements at the Radio Africa Group in a statement dated March 27, 2021.
"As a pre-condition to revert to our advertising partnerships, we have asked RAG to conduct due diligence in the selection of presenters and embed a robust consequence management plan on those that do not abide by the code of conduct," reads the statement in part.
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Ezekiel Mutua on Saturday, March 27, also weighed in on the matter and asked that appropriate action be taken on the three presenters.
