Hate speech laws are futile if we don't address real issues

When Moses Kuria and Johnstone Muthama were recently thrown into the cells for alleged hate speech offences, I muttered. These two gentlemen have never, and are almost certain that they may never have to pay any penalty. Furthermore, they simply have the courage to do in public what many of us do behind the mask of social media. The vitriol that spews from our mouths should send all of us to the coolers.

No wonder legal sanctions have had to be applied – in the name of hate speech laws – to try and curb our excesses. But, will the sanctions work?