The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) on Wednesday raised concerns with radio shows like 'Maina and King’ang’i' on Classic 105 and 'Gidi na Ghost Asubuhi' on Radio Jambo.
CEO Ezekiel Mutua noted that the two radio shows were among others such as Wild Cut Soap Opera that airs at 8:00 pm as some of the programs that contained adult content and should be aired past the watershed period.
According to the CEO, the board was concerned about the increased airing of unpleasant content by most free to air radio and TV stations in Kenya which is against the programming code.
“Our attention has been drawn to several adverts and programs airing on our local broadcast networks without compliance to the provisions of the Films and Stage plays Act Cap 522 of the Laws of Kenya and the Programme Code for free to air Radio and TV stations,” the KFCB boss stated.
Speaking during a press conference, Mutua stated that the airing of Marie Stopes and Fresh Fri cooking oil adverts on both television and radio was banned.
Mutua claimed that Marie Stopes targeted teenage girls by giving them alternatives to unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and was hence prohibited by the board.
“The board demands that the adverts be pulled down immediately and should not be aired until they have been submitted to the board to determine age suitability,” Mutua declared.
Mutua asked Marie Stopes to apologise to the public for airing such content without submission for examination and classification in line with the law.
According to the KFCB boss, the Fresh Fri cooking oil advert was banned for using lustful language and being sexually suggestive
Mutua noted that the two adverts were aired on various platforms but had not been submitted to the board for examination and classification on age appropriateness.
The CEO further noted that the board had flagged some of these programs following close monitoring by the Broadcast Monitoring Unit (BMU).
He added that the board is consulting with the Communication Authority of Kenya to ensure that this trend is stopped.
