KFCB boss and Kenya’s moral policeman Ezekiel Mutua has softened his stance on Churchill Show after the comedy programme aired what has been described as inappropriate content.
The popular comedy show was on Sunday night reportedly pulled off the air after only 25 minutes after a bicycle joke by Meru comedian Jasper Murume and a prank by Zeddy became too explicit for a family comedy show.
Mr Mutua was quick to admonish the show in a strongly worded post on Facebook that read:
“A stupid, horrible prank on Churchill Show. An unfortunate idiotic and foul drill, totally in bad taste, lacking in imagination and possibly the evidence of the beginning of the end of an era. That prank, plus the meru-accident-laden village wag’s sex talk disguised as bicycle ride is against the Programming Code for Free-to-air radio and television services in Kenya. This is a family show and it airs during the watershed. To try and popularise it through cheap sex talk is a breach of the law and betrayal of trust. Any celebrity who makes money by pushing dirty content to corrupt the moral values of our children is no better than the corrupt politicians looting our country. It’s impunity and it’s wrong!”
In a subsequent post, Mutua said Churchill Show host Daniel Ndambuki- who blamed the ‘blackout’ on a technical hitch, reached out to him on Monday morning to issue an apology and request that Mutua withdraws his earlier post.
“I have received a call from Mwalimu King’ang’i this morning regarding the unfortunate episode of the Churchill Show last night. He has apologised and taken full responsibility and requested that I pull down my post. I do so in good faith and in reciprocity for the mature manner in which he has handled the matter. I do so because I believe people make mistakes and learn from them,” wrote Mutua.
He noted that the show has been the top stand-up comedy show in the region for years and lauded comedian Daniel Ndambuki for his contribution in developing talent in Kenya.
He, however, said that while he accepted the apology on a personal level, the Board will still follow up on the matter to ensure that such mistakes are not repeated.
“While at a personal level I accept the apology the Board will pursue this matter to ensure the mistake is not repeated and will mete the necessary sanctions on the Show, “said Mutua.
He concluded with some sound advice for Churchill saying: “Our message to you Churchill is simple: You are talented. You are a mentor to many. Mungu amekutoa mbali. Please don’t use your talent to corrupt the moral values of our children. Give us clean content. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE OBSCENE TO BE POPULAR!”
