All movies with LGBTQ+ content now banned in Kenya
Acting CEO of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Christopher Wambua has said all films containing LGBTQ+ content are illegal in Kenya. Speaking on Friday, Mr Wambua said Kenyan law don’t allow LGBTQ+ content and relationships.
“As we rate and classify content, we also consider other applicable laws. If there is any content that normalizes, glorifies same-sex relationships, our position in Kenya has always been to restrict and not to broadcast, exhibit or distribute that kind of content within the borders of the country,” Mr Wambua said in an interview with Spice FM.
Mr Wambua added that signed partnerships outside Kenya have restricted the viewership of the content within the country. He also said they have banned a number of movies produced in Kenya that had LGBTQ+ content in the past years.
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This comes one year after KFCB banned the film, I am Samuel, citing a homosexuality theme. KFCB said the film violated Article 165 of the Penal Code that outlaws homosexuality, as well as the provisions of the Films and Stage, Plays Act Capp 222 of the laws of Kenya.
“For the avoidance of doubt, restricted in this case means that the film is prohibited from exhibition, distribution, possession or broadcasting within the Republic of Kenya,” the board said.
At the same time, Mr Wambua urged parents/caretakers/guardians to be more vigilant and closely monitor the content their children are accessing and consuming on TV, radio, online and other broadcast channels, especially during school holidays.
He said that it is necessary for parents, guardians, caregivers and society at large to ensure that content consumed by children does not corrupt their morals.
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“We must get concerned by the kind of content and material our children are consuming on TV, radio, online and other broadcast channels such as Tiktok, and guide them appropriately,” Mr Wambua said, adding that protecting minors from inappropriate content is a collective responsibility.
As the Board mandated to regulate the creation, possession, broadcasting, distribution and exhibition of film and broadcast content, Mr Wambua reiterated KFCB’s commitment to work with other public and private sector agencies on programs that are geared towards ensuring that children are safe from harmful content.
“Research has shown that film and media content influence the behavior and the thinking of consumers, especially children who are most impressionable,” he said.
He further said the Board is working with other agencies such as the Communication Authority of Kenya, Google Kenya, Evimet Communications Solutions Limited, Netflix, and CODE-IP Trust, among others, on a Digital Parenting and Child Online Protection programs that seek to equip parents/caregivers with skills and knowledge on digital parenting.
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