Lamu – The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has launched a comprehensive crackdown on unlicensed filmmakers across Kenya. This move, aimed at controlling the distribution of unrated films, was announced by KFCB Chairman John Njogu Njoroge during a press briefing in Lamu Island on Monday.
According to Kenya News Agency, the focus of this nationwide operation is primarily on the illegal exhibition of films in public cinemas and on television channels, with special attention to the coastal region where the proliferation of unrated films has become a significant concern.
This announcement comes in the wake of a pivotal legal case in Malindi, where Kenyan preacher Paul Mackenzie was sentenced to one-and-a-half years in prison for the illegal distribution of unrated films that were used to support his radical sermons. Additionally, Mackenzie faced a further six-month jail term for operating a film studio without a valid license. Njoroge stressed the KFCB’s commitment to curbing illegal cinemas and tackling issues such as pornography and radicalization, which are seen as threats to society, particularly the youth.
Filmmakers are being urged to collaborate with the KFCB for film classification and advice, ensuring adherence to legal standards. The Board Chairman emphasized the need for a partnership between filmmakers and the regulatory body to foster a responsible and law-abiding film industry. The KFCB has also been engaging with social media platforms like TikTok to address concerns about video content accessible in Kenya, indicating ongoing discussions with TikTok and the national government about the content available on the platform.
Yvonne Musyoki, the KFCB Coast Regional Manager, called on parents to monitor internet content accessible to their children. She reaffirmed the board’s dedication to working with law enforcement agencies in enforcing stringent measures against the public circulation of unclassified films. Musyoki highlighted the dangers posed by such films, including the manipulation and radicalization of communities, as evidenced in past incidents involving Al-Shabaab propaganda videos and the Shakahola incident. She urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly regarding content shared on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.