By Winnie Kabintie

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has launched a countrywide crackdown on public service vehicles playing unrated content, saying they are exposing passengers to obscene and explicit content.

According to KFCB CEO Ezekiel Mutua, they are acting upon a public outcry by passengers, who have complained of “pornographic” music videos that are played in some Matatus.

“The stories of agony told by passengers in PSVs are very disturbing. The display, exhibition or playing of pornographic content, loud music and foul language used on passengers presents an image of a public transport sector gone rogue,” said Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, MBS.

Children

Ezekiel Mutua while announcing measures that the classification board has taken to bring sanity to the public transport sector further stated that PSV operators who illegally exhibit content not only contravene the law but also expose children to content that is potentially harmful.

Film/Video Regulatory license

Among these measures is that any Matatu operators who want to screen or exhibit content must obtain a Film/Video Regulatory license and the content must be classified by KFCB.

In response to critics who accused KFCB of “overstepping” it’s mandated in the PSV crackdown, Ezekiel Mutua said  “PSVs are not broadcasters or exhibitors”, adding that “mounting of screens for entertainment can only be regulated under the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 as the content in public service vehicles is not for personal consumption but rather an exhibition to the public”.