William Getumbe, a gospel musician, was detained following a seven-day warning

Eldoret-based gospel musician William Getumbe has been apprehended and escorted to the Kapsoya Police Station following allegations by the Kenya Films and Commission Board (KFCB). According to the statement issued by the KFCB, the artist failed to cease the distribution and display of a gospel song deemed obscene and blasphemous under the Films and Stage Play Act, Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya.

The arrest transpired subsequent to a seven-day ultimatum issued to him for transgressions against the aforementioned statute. Among the charges leveled against him are filming without a license, contravening Part II, Section 4 of Cap 222, as well as distributing and showcasing unclassified audio-visual content, a violation of Part III, Section 12 of Cap 222. Additionally, he faces accusations of distributing, publicly exhibiting, and possessing ‘obscene’ cinematograph films and staging indecent performances, offenses contrary to Section 181 (1) (a) and (e) of the Penal Code.

Getumbe is slated to appear in court on March 13, 2024, to address these charges. The KFCB reaffirmed its firm stance against the creation, dissemination, possession, broadcast, and display of ‘indecent’ content deemed detrimental to the values and ethics of Kenyan society.

Furthermore, it implored all content creators to produce material that upholds Kenya’s cultural heritage, moral principles, and national aspirations, while ensuring the safeguarding of minors against unsuitable content. The KFCB disclosed ongoing collaboration with pertinent platform administrators to remove objectionable content promptly.

Previously, musician Embarambamba, a peer of Getumbe, received a demand letter from the board, complying by submitting all his music videos for examination and classification by the KFCB. He also committed to obtaining a filming license from the KFCB before initiating any new productions and ensured their classification for age-appropriateness before public display.

William Getumbe is renowned for his song ‘Yesu Ninyandue’. The KFCB urged the public to report instances of indecent content distributed or exhibited on social media platforms, noting that correspondence has been dispatched to various platform operators to remove inappropriate content.