City Lawyer Danstan Omari has stepped forward to challenge the Kenya Film Classification Board’s (KFCB) directive aimed at gospel artist Christopher Musioma, popularly known as Embarambamba.
The KFCB’s order to delete all of Embarambamba’s songs from YouTube has sparked a heated debate on artistic freedom and censorship.
Omari, in his letter to the KFCB, argued that the directive is discriminatory and unfairly targets Embarambamba, who is known for his unique and vibrant artistic style.
The lawyer emphasized that while Embarambamba’s approach may be unconventional, it is a form of creativity that should not be stifled.
He pointed out that numerous musicians employ various means to express their art, yet the board has singled out Embarambamba for censure.
The controversy stems from a recent meeting between the KFCB and Embarambamba, where the artist was questioned about his alleged non-compliance with the Films and Stage Play Act Cap 222.
The KFCB highlighted concerns over the use of vulgarity, nudity, indecency, and aggressive dancing styles in Embarambamba’s content, particularly in his song ‘Niko Uchi’.
As a result, the KFCB issued a set of demands to Embarambamba, including the removal of all offensive content from his YouTube channel and other social media platforms within two days, submission of his music videos for examination and classification, and the acquisition of a filming license for future productions.
Embarambamba on March 5, 2024 expressed remorse and agreed to comply with the board’s demands.
The KFCB maintains its stance on promoting content that aligns with Kenya’s cultural values and national aspirations, particularly protecting children from exposure to inappropriate material.
The board’s commitment to fostering a conducive regulatory environment for the film industry remains steadfast, in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the Talanta Hela Initiative.
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