The East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) on Saturday announced suspension of all its advertisements on Radio Africa Group after victim shaming by Homeboyz Radio presenters.
The move by EABL comes following backlash over controversial remarks by Shaffie Weru, Neville Muasya and DJ Joe Mfalme during their Lift Off breakfast show on Wednesday.
EABL, in a statement, said it was dismayed by the utterances of the three presenters, who have since been suspended, which bordered on promoting gender-based violence.
“As a responsible corporate citizen that upholds and champions gender inclusion, diversity and human rights, we support the ongoing investigations. EABL and the Guinness Brand are significant advertisers on a variety of programmes on Radio Africa Group,” EABL said.
The statement went on, “Consequently, beginning Thursday 26th March 2021, EABL paused all advertising on the RAG programmes related with these presenters.”
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Homeboyz Radio suspended Shaffie, Neville and DJ Joe over their utterances after 20-year-old Eunice Wangari Wakimbi was thrown off Ambank House’s 12th floor by her Facebook boyfriend during their first date.
Their remarks that blamed women for being targeted by men because they are “too available” has attracted wide outrage forcing Homeboyz Radio to issue an apology.
The station run by the Radio Africa Group headed by Patrick Quarcoo revealed that it opted to suspend the three presenters for two weeks after concluding its probe into their remarks.
Homeboyz General Manager Somoina Kimanjino added that the station’s employees will also undergo a mandatory training on gender awareness to avert such incidences in future.
“During the suspension period, the presenters and all other Homeboyz Radio staff presenters, producers and the Homeboyz social media team shall undergo mandatory gender awareness sensitisation training and training on ethical reporting and on-air discussion of women issues, sexual assault and gender-based violence,” said Kimanjino.