The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) in conjunction with law enforcement personnel from different agencies on Tuesday arrested gospel artist William Getumbe over failure to cease distributing and exhibiting a gospel song that had been classified as obscene and blasphemous.
In a statement, the agency stated that the arrest had been effected over the artist's failure to comply with the Films and Stage Play Act and Cap 222 of the Kenyan Law.
In a statement released on Tuesday, March 12, the board confirmed that officers from Kapsoya Police Station had arrested and detained the controversial artist with the help of its officers stationed in the North Rift.
The arrest comes after the lapse of a demand notice issued to him for violating the sections governing the creation, possession, distribution, and exhibition of audio-visual content in Kenya.
“Getumbe’s arrest comes after a violation of sections 4 and 12 of Cap 222. Specifically for the exhibition of the blasphemous ‘Yesu Ninyandue’ song,” the statement reads in part.
KFCB has demanded that Getumbe appear in court on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, to answer to three counts, among them filming without a license.
Other charges include; distribution and exhibition of unclassified audio-visual content and possession of obscene content as well as distribution and indecent performances tending to corrupt morals.
"The KFCB takes a strong stance against the creation, distribution, possession, broadcasting, and exhibition of 'indecent content that goes against the values and morals of the society," KFCB added.
On March 4, the KFCB management held a meeting with another controversial gospel singer famously known as 'Embarambamba', where they instructed him to delete several of his music videos online, citing indecency.
"The artist was further put to task over the use of vulgarity, nudity, indecency, and violent dancing styles in his content, specifically in the ‘Niko Uchi’ song, among others," the board instructed.
The board further advised artists to produce content that promotes Kenya’s culture and moral values, and avoid exposing children to inappropriate content.
"Going forward, the KFCB remains committed to ensuring a facilitative regulatory environment to spur the growth of the film industry in line with the Fifth Pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Talanta Hela Initiative, a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports," KFCB added.
