The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has issued a stern warning to local artists Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe regarding the dissemination of objectionable material across various media platforms.
The regulatory body has expressed concerns over the latest releases from these artists, which have been banned for their unsuitability for public consumption, particularly among younger audiences.
Chris Embarambamba’s track titled “Niko Uchi” has ignited controversy for its purported gospel theme, which the KFCB contends undermines the sanctity of the Christian faith. Additionally, the song allegedly features nudity, profanity, and promotes violent and imitative behaviors, raising apprehensions about its influence on susceptible viewers, notably minors.
Similarly, William Getumbe’s composition “Yesu Ninyandue” has come under scrutiny for its blasphemous content and potential to offend religious sensibilities.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, KFCB Acting CEO Nelly Muluka cited Embarambamba and Getumbe’s works as violating the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya, which mandates the scrutiny and approval of all content prior to public dissemination or exhibition.
Muluka emphasized, “The song titled ‘Niko Uchi’, purportedly gospel, invites ridicule to the Christian religion, and also contains nudity and vulgarity. It has further been observed that certain dance moves exhibited by the artist are violent and others encourage imitative behavior, which could pose risks if emulated by children/minors.”
In response to these concerns, the KFCB has dispatched demand letters to Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe, instructing them to expunge any inappropriate content from their respective platforms. Failure to adhere to these directives may result in legal consequences, as delineated by the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222.
Furthermore, the KFCB has engaged with relevant media platforms, urging them to remove the contentious material by the aforementioned artists.
“The artists (Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe) have been issued demand letters to remove any inappropriate content from their platforms, failing which they will face legal action in accordance with the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya,” stated the KFCB, while also informing, “Correspondence has been dispatched to pertinent platforms to take down the objectionable content produced by Chris Embarambamba and William Getumbe.”
The board has also singled out religious performances by a Bishop known as ‘Johanna’, whom they accuse of utilizing religious influence to “mislead the public through indecent exposure performances with sexual innuendos.”
Meanwhile, the KFCB CEO reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring compliance with established regulations and fostering responsible content creation within the Kenyan creative sector.
