The Kenya Film and Classifications board (KFCB) has banned a new film titled I am Samuel, on grounds that ‘it promotes same-sex marriage.’
A 52-minute flick produced by one Samuel Murimi, it depicts two men going through the ropes of navigating their same-sex relationship, coming out to their parents and wedding through a Christian marriage.
In a statement dated Thursday, September 23, the board’s acting chairman Samuel Wambua attributes his decision to what he terms a ‘a clear and deliberate attempt by the producer to promote same-sex marriage as an acceptable way of life.’
“The film ‘I am Samuel’ is an affront to Article 45 of the Kenyan constitution, which recognizes the family as the basic unit of society and defines marriage as between two persons of the opposite gender,” issued Wambua in the same statement.
He claims the film is in contravention of Section 165 of the Penal Code which outlaws homosexuality, further urging filmmakers to ‘adhere to the provisions of the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap222 of the laws of Kenya by acquiring filming licenses as well as submitting their content for examination and classification for age suitability.’
In 2018, KFCB banned yet another gay film, Rafiki, a move that was later outlawed by the High Court, allowing the film to screen for 7 days in Kenyan cinemas.
READ: Dismay As High Court Upholds Ban On Lesbian Love Film ‘Rafiki’
