The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has threatened legal action against local artists Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe over the spread of inappropriate content on various media platforms.
The artists have come under scrutiny for their latest releases which the authority has banned after being deemed unsuitable for public consumption, particularly for children.
Chris Embarambamba’s song titled “Niko Uchi” has sparked controversy for its purported gospel theme, which the KFCB argues invites ridicule to the Christian religion. Moreover, the song reportedly contains nudity, vulgarity, and promotes violent and imitable behaviors, raising concerns about its impact on impressionable audiences, especially minors.
Similarly, William Getumbe’s track “Yesu Ninyandue” has drawn criticism for its blasphemous nature and potential to offend religious sensitivities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, KFCB Acting CEO Nelly Muluka identified Embarambamba and Getumbe’s works as violating the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya, which mandates the examination and approval of all content before public distribution or exhibition.
“The song titled: ‘Niko Uchi’, which is purported gospel invites ridicule to the Christian religion, also contains nudity, vulgarity. It has further been noted that some of the artist’s dancing styles are violent and others present imitable behaviour, which if copied by children/minors, can be dangerous and disastrous,” said KFCB Acting CEO Nelly Muluka.
In response to these concerns, the KFCB has issued demand letters to Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe, instructing them to remove any inappropriate content from their respective platforms. Failure to comply with these directives could result in legal repercussions, as outlined by the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222.
Furthermore, the KFCB has reached out to relevant media platforms, urging them to pull down the contentious material by the mentioned artists.
“A demand letter has been issued to (Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe) to pull down any inappropriate content from their various platforms failure to which, they will face the law in line with the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya,” said KFCB, further adding, “Letters have been issued to relevant platforms to pull down the inappropriate content by Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe.”
The board has further singled out religious acts by a Bishop going by the name ‘Johanna’ whom the board says is among the adults using their religious influence to “mislead the public through indecent exposure performances with sexual innuendos.”
Meanwhile, the KFCB CEO says the board remains vigilant in its efforts to ensure compliance with established regulations and to promote responsible content creation within the Kenyan creative industry.
