Errant Homeboyz Radio Presenters Fired as Communications Authority Slaps it with Sh1 Million Fine

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has fined Homeboyz Radio Sh1 million over offensive remarks by its breakfast show hosts Shaffie Weru, Neville Muysa, and DJ Joe Mfalme. 

The three are under fire for making comments that appeared to victim-shame and justify sexual assault against women.

They made the said utterances live on air while discussing an incident where a 20-year-old woman named Eunice Wangari was allegedly shoved from the 12th floor of a building in Nairobi CBD after rejecting sexual advances from her date.

Besides the Sh1 million fine, CA has also suspended the station’s breakfast show for six months, saying the remarks made last Thursday violated programming regulations.

“The comments were in violation of the provisions of the law and the Programming Code in respect to the requirements for broadcasters to air decent and family–oriented programming during the watershed period,” CA said.

Addressing the press on Sunday, CA Director-General Mercy Wanjau further directed Homeboyz, which is owned by Radio Africa Group, to publish a public apology in two newspapers with nationwide circulation and air the same apology on the station during prime time for five days.

“The Authority upholds the principle of gender inclusivity and respect for diversity. Broadcasters are urged to exercise great responsibility when undertaking their work and to avoid gender stereotyping, fostering misogyny and perpetration of negative narratives against women and men,” said Wanjau.

On Saturday, Radio Africa fired the three presenters, hours after the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) withdrew all its advertisements at Homeboyz over the remarks by its employees.