The government has ordered for the immediate blocking of 44 websites in the country over content pirating.
The High Court sitting in Nairobi on Thursday, June 23, through Justice Wilfrida Okwany, ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in collaboration with the government to immediately block the 44 streaming websites.
Justice Okwany noted that the websites were flagged for infringing on copyrighted materials.
The ruling will majorly affect soccer fans across the country and other consumers of pirated content through sites that have not been authorised to operate in the country or rebroadcast content.
Justice Okwany explained that Internet Service Providers have failed on their part to exercise their mandate in complying with the take down notice of websites infringing on copyrighted materials.
Among those shortlisted are popular websites that pop up during live matches on different social media platforms, allowing those with access to the internet watch shows and games for free.
Following the ruling, some of the internet service providers vowed to block the blacklisted websites within 72 hours.
"A person whose rights have been infringed by content to which access is being offered by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) may request by way of a takedown notice that the ISP removes the infringing content," the Copyright Act stipulates.
According to players in the industry, the landmark ruling will allow content creators to earn from their work.
"The Kenyan courts have sent a message to the rest of the world that we respect the right of content creators to earn a living from their work," one of the stakeholders stated.
Here are the websites set to be blocked:
1. Totalsportek
2. ronaldo7
3. stream-cr7
4. ripple
5. vipleague
6. livesoccertv
7. livesport
8. soccer-live stream
9. LiveTV
10. vipbox live
11. sportnews
12. jokerlivestream
13. Cricfree
14. Fullmatchesandshows
15. Vipboxtv
16. liveharleyquinnwidget
17. Messistream
18. Yalla-shoot
19. HD streams
20. Cdn livetvcdn
21. Firstsrowsports
22. Livefootballol
23. Miradetodo
24. Livestream
25.Tvball7
26. Skytivi
27. Freeintertv
28. Vipstand
29. Extremotvplay
30. Stream2watch
31. Oeb
32. Ishunter
33. Myfeed2all
34. Barcelona stream
35. sport stream
36. Cricfree
37. Indiostv
38. Sport365 live
39. Kora-online TV
40. Stream woop
41. Sportzonline
42. Sportv
43. Rojadirecta
44. Cricsports