A Kenyan TV station’s decision yesterday to ‘name and shame’ individuals on social media who the broadcaster says have been ‘fanning ethnic hate speech’ has drawn mixed reaction.

NTV, owned by the Nation Media Group, yesterday ran a top story headlined 'Shame on you Tribalists'. The story went on to list what NTV said have been among the ‘most damning comments’ being spread on social media during the country’s just concluded elections. The authors’ of the comments were then named in the broadcast.

There has been relative calm in the country after the election concluded peacefully.

However, expressions of vitriol and tribal hate have reportedly moved to the social media sphere with those supporting either president elect Uhuru Kenyatta or Raila Odinga trading blows over who deserved to win.

The comments have reportedly further been pitting the Kikuyus and the Luos, the two tribes actively involved in politics in Kenya, against each other online.

And after the controversial name and shame broadcast by NTV, social media has been awash with Kenyans either supporting the media's house decision or ridiculing it.

George Kamau on twitter wrote. “Kudos ntvkenya. Name and shame them. Great steps to building a united nation.”

Atemah Gor, another Kenyan on Twitter, said, “ That’s the worst you guys have done why give those tribal remarks airtime? Your propagating the hate on live TV. Shame on NTV!"

Controversy regarding NTV name and shame broadcast has also come at a time when the Kenyan body tasked with monitoring hate speech across all media platforms in the country, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, has come under fire for alleged slow action against hate speech online.

Hate speech characterised Kenya’s 2007/8 election when a humanitarian crisis erupted in the country after Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election. Supporters of Kibaki's opponent, Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement, alleged electoral manipulation, and violence in the nation ensued.