All movies with LGBTQ+ content are forbidden in Kenya, according to acting CEO of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Christopher Wambua.
Mr. Wambua stated in a statement on Friday that Kenyan law prohibits LGBTQ+ relationships and content.
“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 a local radio station.
Mr. Wambua stated that agreements made with organizations outside of Kenya have limited the amount of content that can be viewed there. He added that they have already banned several Kenyan-made films with LGBTQ+ material.
This happens a year after the KFCB forbade the movie I am Samuel due to its homosexuality-related content. KFCB claimed that the movie broke both the rules of Kenya’s Films and Stage Plays Act Capp 222 and Article 165 of the Penal Code, which forbids homosexuality.
“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,” said the board.
Mr. Wambua also asked parents, caregivers, and guardians to be more watchful and closely monitor the material their children access and consume on TV, radio, online, and other broadcast channels, particularly during school breaks.
According to him, it is important for parents, guardians, caregivers, and society at large to make sure that children do not ingest material that compromises their principles.
“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,” Wambua remarked, adding that guarding children from offensive material is a shared responsibility.
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He added that the Board is collaborating with other organizations on digital parenting and child online protection programs that aim to give parents and caregivers the knowledge and skills they need. These organizations include the Communication Authority of Kenya, Google Kenya, Evimet Communications Solutions Limited, Netflix, and CODE-IP Trust, among others.
