Kenya film body ‘looking for’ witch doctors

 

KFCB Chief executive officer Ezekiel Mutua during press conferences

PHOTO BY EDWARD KIPLIMO.

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) is now going for witch doctors who they accuse of putting up misleading information and adverts swindle the public.

The board’s CEO Ezekiel Mutua (pictured) said it is within their mandate to ensure that information displayed for public consumption is true and can be proven, so that people don’t take advantage of the misery of others.

Mutua said the witch doctors promise things that cannot be achieved. They are fleecing Kenyans out of their hard-earned money.

Their messages are prominently displayed on all manner of posters nailed on lamp posts, walls and trees on city streets and in estates.

“Somebody cannot lie to me that he can assure you of getting a promotion at work, winning a SportPesa bet, catching a thief, healing broken hearts, guaranteeing profits in business and trapping or caging cheating spouses,” said Mutua.

Other outrageous claims by the witch doctors include curing of all diseases, including HIV/Aids and cancer, as well as raising the dead, offering love potions, tracing lost relatives, and warding off bad luck and demons and spirits.

Mutua was addressing the media in Kisumu after a sensitisation workshop for the police.

He urged the county government to be vigilant when issuing advertisement permits and licences to safeguard the interest of the public.

“It is wrong for people to put false and misleading information to the public. We cannot allow our country to be the dumping site of all manner of filth from all countries because they find space here,” said Mutua.

He explained that the board was just trying to protect the public from misleading information and services that have not been verified scientifically.

In other counties like Mombasa, the then County Commissioner Nelson Marwa last year ordered the arrest of all witch doctors operating in the county and the removal of their posters, saying they portrayed a bad image of the county and had a negative effect on tourism, besides promoting superstition.

Mutua is also targeting betting sites and public service vehicles which play music and videos that have adult content.

He argued that the gambling craze that has hit the country poses a threat to the youth and could render them lazy and jobless if not properly managed. He said that gambling gave the youth a false hope of quick riches without having to work hard.

“It has reached a point where the youth believe they can become millionaires overnight,” said Mutua.

He also asked the police to monitor matatus displaying obscene content that is harmful to the public, particularly children who board these vehicles to school.

“Public service vehicles are not broadcasters. If they want to screen movies and other video content, they must obtain relevant licences from KFCB, which should go with rating of the content that they air, unless they are telling us their target audience are adults,” said Mutua.

He said matatu operators are supposed to play music or entertain, but within limits, so that they don’t corrupt the minds of children or embarrass adults who are travelling with their children.

Police Spokesperson Charles Owino asked officers to enforce the laws as per KFCB provisions to guard the public against obscene material.

“The law against exposure to obscene materials is not being strictly enforced. We need to widen our spectrum on law enforcement and ensure those doing this are charged accordingly,” said Owino.