Safaricom will lock out hate-mongers – Collymore
Safaricom will disconnect subscribers propagating hate speech, the company’s CEO Bob Collymore has said. Collymore spoke at a dinner with Mombasa based journalists and noted that Safaricom will identify the hate mongers, and pass them over to the law enforcement organs. “If we get a complain about any subscriber doing this either on internet, or via text message, we will follow the laid down rules and procedures and ensure you are disconnected. “We just have to take responsibility as the elections beckons because if you are found, you will no longer enjoy our services irrespective of what you have paid us,” said Collymore.
Collymore also indicated that the issue of hate message circulation had become complex with the onset of the social media but promised that the company had mechanism to deal with that. “Unlike in 2007 when it was text message only, things have gone complex with coming of internet and social media. The information spreads so fast but we have instruments to keep vigil on that complexity,” he added.
He said that the business community was concerned about the political uncertainty heralded by the unfolding events ahead of elections and initiatives to promote peace and cohesion had kicked off in earnest. Collymore also called on other phone service providers to emulate the same for the sake of peace and cohesion in the country and urged Kenyans to shun away from tribalism and embrace peace as the country gears up for next year’s general elections.
He pointed out that the unemployed youth in the country are susceptible to abuse by politicians. He urged the youth to preach peace and avoid politicians who are out to use and dump them. “Don’t be used to destroy what we all have worked for. Kenyans should learn from the past experience and see how this country was hurt by violence. Nobody wants to see that again. Let’s be patriotic and love our country and neighbors.
We have different ethnic groups but we all belong to one nation. Kenyans must remember that the people they hurt are their own. This is a great country that all of us should focus on developing it further,”” said Collymore. He told the Kenyans to fully embrace the Mkenya Daima (Forever Kenyan) peace campaign which has entered its second phase. The campaign is aimed at rallying Kenyans together ahead of the General Election to maintain peace began on January 30 with Safaricom donating sh10million towards the drive.
The campaign is being steered by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and will run in four phases until the General elections. Collymore’s statement on hate mongering will supplement the ongoing efforts by the government through the communication commission of Kenya and national cohesion and integration commission to monitor mongers in communication sector. Already vernacular radio stations in various parts of the country are on spot for thriving on hate speech, with communication PS Bitange Ndemo issuing similar threats to the stations.
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