The Kenya Film Classification Board has assured Kenyans it will strive to ensure that the internet is kept safe for the children.
Through its chief executive Ezekiel Mutua, the board has stated that it is keen to create a debate to ensure the internet remains safe in instances where it is used by the children.
Though Mutua has admitted that the internet has a lot of educational potential, he has cited instances where children could access information that is harmful to them.
In this regard, Mutua through a post on his Facebook page on Monday stated that the board will not shy away from engaging in this conversation saying children should be protected from vices such as child pornography.
‘The Kenya Film Classification Board is keen to create a useful debate on how we can keep the Nnet safe for our children. Despite the vast educational potential of the internet, fears persist regarding the presence of content which could have harmful on children especially sex, nudity, violence and language. KFCB will not shy away from engaging in this conversation for we believe we must protect our children from child pornography and child prostitution, vices which are propagated through the internet,’ said Mutua.
While some of those who commented on his post congratulated him, one of the respondents, Richard Mwanthi, said Mutua had no power to regulate the internet.
However, Mutua on his part refuted the claim stating that there is a way the internet can be regulated.
‘Behind the internet there's a human being. It's possible to talk and find a way of regulating the internet. I don't buy the defeatist view that we can't regulate internet. So we should allow it to be a savage world where anything goes?’ replied Mutua.
On the other hand, another respondent, Eric Oduor lashed out at the CEO stating that he should stick to his line of work, a sentiment that another respondent James Anyona Asande agreed with.
‘Someone tell Mr Mutua to respect the boundaries and stick to the Ministry of Culture. The Film Classification Board is not under Ministry of Information. This is one of the confusions that should not be entertained in the industry of Information and Communication’, stated Oduor.
‘If it is true the film classification board sits in the Culture ministry,with all due respect you over stepping your mandate,’ added James Anyona Asande