MPs demand action over screening of adult content

By Standard Team

Parliament has raised concerns over the screening of adult movies on public broadcasters during the day.

MPs on Wednesday accused Kenya Films Censorship Board (KFCB) of failing to monitor and regulate films destined for public exhibition.

They took issue with Nigerian movies aired during the day saying the content was harmful to children.

Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu, who stood on a point of order during question time, claimed a number of public broadcasters were violating the law by airing adult-rated movies during the day. "The movies are not only shown in video cafes, even some public broadcasters are showing harmful content," claimed Chanzu.

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said some of the Nigerian movies aired during the day violate the Film Corporation Act.

Khalwale said KFCB had failed in its regulatory duties and asked the Minister for Information and Communications to act.

But Assistant Minister for Information and Communication George Khaniri said KFCB lacks adequate staff to monitor video cafes violating the law. He said despite the staff limitation, KFCB has no prosecution power. "We depend on the office of the Director of Public Prosecution after we identify those violating the law," said Khaniri. "I want to inform members that the films aired on public channels are not banned. We cannot accuse media houses for broadcasting them, the only problem is the time the movies are aired," he added. He was responding to a question by Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo-Mabona who had asked whether the mandate of the Film Classification Board include classification of videos shown in video cafes.