EXCLUSIVE: Ezekiel Mutua clarifies ‘Wamlambez’ ban as Kenyans react

 “What have we become as a society? I saw some kindergarten children performing ‘Kwangwaru’ singing ‘inama inama(bend over)’ while their mothers are taking photos."

Kenyan Film and Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua has expounded on his earlier directive restricting the playing of Rayvanny's ‘Tetema’ and Sailors' ‘Wamlambez’ to bars and clubs.

According to Dr Mutua, the songs should not be played in public spaces where children might be listening.

On a phone interview with SDE, Dr Mutua reiterated that the directive is aimed at protecting children from exposure to vulgar content.

“The idea is to protect children from premature exposure to adult content. The lyrics sound very catchy but the meaning is very vulgar.

“It’s embarrassing when you find the songs being played even in schools and children are performing them in front of their parents while they (parents) take photos of them.

“What have we become as a society? I saw some kindergarten children performing ‘Kwangwaru’ singing ‘inama inama(bend over)’ while their mothers are taking photos.”

“Wamlambez is derived from the word lamba (lick), it is pornography,” he said.

Warning to broadcasters

Dr Mutua also pointed out that KFCB will not file charges against the singers.

“We don’t want to prefer charges against the singers but we want to restrict adult content from being accessed by children.”

 Sailors, the group behind 'Wamlambez.'

He also promised dire consequences for broadcasters who will play the songs during the watershed period.

“If broadcasters play the songs during the watershed period we are going to take it up with the Communications Authority and the penalties will be very serious.”

Public cooperation

Dr Mutua urged members of the public to cooperate with KFCB in implementing the directive, saying that the body is finalising an official statement on the matter.

“We will also focus on producers because we have realized they are promoting these dirty songs. We must reach a point where we have to take a stand against moral decadence. We are not being fair to our children when we allow songs like ‘Wamlambez’ to dominate our airwaves and be played in schools.”

Reactions

Wamlambez! ????????????

— Topstar Starkus Ontogoro (@Okechirichard) August 27, 2019

We mzae si utoe ngoma zako tukuwe tunaimba????you are killing local talent

— the majesty (@ndungubryo) August 27, 2019

@EzekielMutua its a good move as much as it has taken a while for this action.

— Felix M. Mucioka (@DjshaqaKenya) August 27, 2019

he will still tell youths to self employ themselves while sitting in offices banning content.

— Peter Sagini???????????????????????? (@ItsPOS) August 27, 2019

kudos and always observe proactive measures to obscenity...displayed especially before the juvenile.

— Owalla Odhiambo (@owalla_odhia) August 27, 2019