The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has pledged to remain heedful and take action against promoters of audio-visual content published on social media platforms with the intent to instigate incitement and hatred.
At a press conference in Nairobi today, KFCB acting Chief Executive Officer Christopher Wambua stated that the board had increased vigilance after noticing an increase in the production of inciting and hate speech content.
“The board has noted a worrying trend where audio-visual content bordering on political incitement and hate speech is being produced, uploaded and peddled on social media platforms in blatant breach of provisions of Article 33 and 34 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and the Film Classification Guidelines,” the board said through a statement.
Wambua further said that the board has the authority to regulate such inciteful content, so it has flagged it and reported it to the appropriate government and private sector agencies.
The content regulatory agency urged content creators, the media and the general public to exercise caution when uploading content because freedom of expression is predicated on responsibility.
He further came out to assert that films that promote homosexuality are still banned in Kenya.
The board says that such films go against the laws of Kenya which do not allow same sex relationships.
The board has mounted twitter campaign to pass across its message after receiving for review the Indian film Badhaai Do.
“Badhaai Do overtly disregards our laws, constitution and sensibilities as a people,” said the board’s CEO Chris Wambua. “On this 14th day of February 2022, the Board pronounces the 147-minute gay-themed film titled: Badhaai Do, as Restricted, that is, prohibited from exhibition, distribution, possession or broadcasting within the Republic of Kenya.”
It is not the first time that the KFCB has come out guns blazing against audio-visual content that has homosexual undertones. Rafiki, a Kenyan film featuring two female lovebirds, and I am Samuel, a coming out story of a Kenyan gay remain banned in the country even though they have both received international acclaim.
