A section of local advertisers have been dealt a major blow after the High Court issued a ruling banning the airing of beer and condom adverts between 5am and 10pm.
This followed a petition by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB led by CEO Ezekiel Mutua, to have the adverts aired during watershed hours (period which programmes with adult content may be broadcast) only.
In January, KFCB obtained a temporary court order restraining beer companies from airing adverts before watershed hours and ordering that all audiovisual content be submitted to the board for rating and classification in line with Film and stage play ACT cap 222.
Beer makers, through the National Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya, went to court after the board threatened to ban them following their failure to submit alcohol adverts for approval.
The association argued that the move to stop them from airing their products was against the law, adding that the board was overstepping its mandate.
The High Court, however, ruled in favour of KFCB.
KFCB regulates the creation, broadcasting, possession, distribution and exhibition of films in the country with an aim of promoting national values and morals.
