Restrain FM stations

The role played by some FM radio stations in fanning the 2007/2008 post-election violence is in the public domain, and it seems that we Kenyans never learn from history.

Already, one radio presenter is facing serious charges at the International Criminal Court. Who is to say other presenters may not find themselves in the same quandary if they keep broadcasting incendiary utterances and hate speech?

Right now, the focus is on the Coast where some radio stations have been fanning separatist sentiments that are bound to lead to violence.

Much as the Constitution allows space for individuals and groups to air their views without victimisation, this freedom must be weighed against the greater good.

And it is against the country’s long-term interests to allow itself to be dismembered by people who believe their communities have been marginalised by successive governments since Independence.

Even if that were true, there are proper ways to seek redress, and socialising future generations to regard themselves as separate from the rest of Kenya is not the way.

If some radio stations have been disseminating selective information geared towards fomenting violence, then they should be shut down altogether.