Unguja. Zanzibar Police Commissioner Hamad Khamis Hamad has called upon on political parties to avoid using their platforms to undermine respect, promote hatred, or incite violence.
The Commissioner made this statement on August 19, 2024, while addressing journalists at his office in Ziwani, Unguja.
He emphasised that freedom of expression should not be used to justify inciting hatred or violence, stressing that this freedom does not extend to invading personal privacy.
“Freedom of speech is a crucial right for promoting democracy, but it must be exercised responsibly, with a commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and the rule of law,” said Commissioner Hamad.
He affirmed that the Police Force respects political leaders’ right to criticise the government and advocate for reforms through legal and proper channels.
However, he clarified that freedom of speech does not include attacking the privacy of political opponents or anyone else, nor does it cover the use of hateful language, derogatory comments, public shaming, spreading false information, or inciting people against legitimate government authority and its institutions.
“We have observed some party leaders endorsing acts of violence by encouraging their followers to take the law into their own hands.
Such actions are not only illegal but also detrimental to societal cohesion,” Commissioner Hamad noted.
He has directed police commanders on the island to enforce laws against inflammatory speech that could lead to violence and to address attempts to pursue reforms through improper means.
The Commissioner also urged citizens to avoid initiating violence and to critically evaluate the statements.
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
Britam half-year net profit hits Sh2bn on higher investment income
Insurer and financial services provider Britam posted a 22.5 percent jump in net earnings for the half-year ended June 2024, to Sh2 billion, buoyed by increased investment income.
The rise in half-year net profit from Sh1.64 billion posted in a similar period last year came on the back of net investment income rising 2.5 times to Sh13.27 billion from Sh5.3 billion.
“We are confident in the growth and performance trend that Britam has achieved, supported by its subsidiaries in Kenya and the region. Our business is expanding its revenue base while effectively managing costs,” Britam Chief Executive Officer Tom Gitogo said.
“Our customer-centric approach is fueling growth in our customer base and product uptake, particularly through micro-insurance, partnerships, and digital channels.”
The investment income growth was fueled by interest and dividend income rising 34 percent to Sh9.1 billion, which the insurer attributed to growth in revenue and the gains from the realignment of the group’s investment portfolio.
Britam also booked a Sh3.79 billion gain on financial assets at a fair value, compared with a Sh1.8 billion loss posted in a similar period last year.
The increased investment income helped offset the 12.7 percent decline in net insurance service result to Sh2.13 billion in the wake of claims paid out rising at a faster pace than that of premiums received.
Britam said insurance revenue, which is money from written premiums, increased to Sh17.8 billion from Sh16.6 billion, primarily driven by growth in the Kenya insurance business and regional general insurance businesses, which contributed 30 percent of the revenue.
The group has a presence in seven countries in Africa namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Britam’s insurance service expense hit Sh13.6 billion from Sh11.3 billion, while net insurance finance expenses rose 2.6 times to Sh12.3 billion during the same period.
“Net insurance finance expenses increased mainly due to growth in interest cost for the deposit administration business driven by better investment performance. This has also been impacted by a decline in the yield curve, which has led to an increase in the insurance contract liabilities. The increase has been offset by a matching increase in fair value gain on assets,” said Britam.
Britam’s growth in profit is in line with that of other Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed insurers, which have seen a rise in profits.
Jubilee Holdings net profit in the six months increased by 22.7 percent to Sh2.5 billion on increased income from insurance, helping the insurer maintain Sh2 per share interim dividend.
CIC Insurance Group posted a 0.64 percent rise in net profit to Sh709.99 million in the same period as net earnings of Liberty Kenya nearly tripled to Sh632 million from Sh213 million, while Sanlam Kenya emerged from a loss to post a Sh282.2 million net profit.
How diplomatic intervention kept Air France, KLM in Zanzibar
It has, however, emerged, that the Netherland and France sought a diplomatic solution to a standoff at the Abeid Aman Karume International Airport, warning that it could disrupt Air France and KLM flights into Zanzibar, and later Dar es Salaam.Continue Reading
Top US investor sells 600m Safaricom shares in dividend protest
An American multinational investment management firm is selling millions of shares held in Safaricom in protest over delays in dividend repatriation amid the fall of the telco’s valuation to below Sh600 billion.Continue Reading
