Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) chairperson Njogu Njoroge has intervened to support YouTube content creators by directing the board to withdraw recent demand letters that required them to acquire filming licenses or face legal action.
The letters, issued on Friday by acting CEO Paskal Opiyo, gave creators 14 days to obtain the necessary licenses. However, hours after the ultimatum, Njoroge ordered the notices to be recalled to facilitate stakeholder engagement.
“Our content creators should be supported all the way. They should be encouraged and supported 100 per cent,” Njoroge stated. “We should be training our youth on monetisation, and we are deliberate on that matter. I have directed the management to withdraw the notices and organise for an engagement with all the stakeholders. We should be talking about thousands of opportunities, if not hundreds of thousands of jobs in the digital media.”
Creators such as Oga Obinna, Jacky Vike (alias Awinja), Njugush, Abel Mutua, YY Comedian, and Mulamwah confirmed receiving the notices via email. The letters informed them that they were operating in violation of Section 4 of the Films and Stage Plays Act by not having filming licenses.
Acting CEO Opiyo highlighted that Section 12 of the Act mandates that all films distributed, exhibited, or broadcasted in Kenya must be examined by KFCB and receive a certificate of approval. He emphasized that the board was acting within its mandate to regulate film and broadcast content in the country.
“Consequently, we demand that you strictly comply with the requirements of the Films and Stage Plays Act by obtaining filming licenses for your films and submitting them for examination and classification before the same is exhibited and distributed to the public through your YouTube channel,” Opiyo stated.
The acting CEO warned that failure to comply within 14 days would result in legal action, as stipulated by the Films and Stage Plays Act and other relevant laws, with the creators bearing the costs and consequences.
