The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has flagged musician Alex Kasau Katombiโs music video Wikend, directing that it be removed from YouTube and other distribution platforms over alleged violations of Kenyaโs film classification laws.
In a press statement dated Friday, October 16, 2026, the Board said the video contained sexually explicit material, nudity and indecent exposure, alongside depictions of substance abuse, alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
KFCB said the content made the production unsuitable for general exhibition and raised concerns about its accessibility to children and other vulnerable audiences.
The directive puts the spotlight on the regulation of online entertainment in Kenya, where music videos can reach large audiences, including minors, through digital platforms.
KFCB cites alleged breach of film classification laws
According to the Board, routine compliance monitoring established that Wikend had neither been licensed nor classified before it was distributed to the public.
KFCB cited Sections 4 and 12 of the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap. 222, as the provisions allegedly violated by the video.
The agency said it had collaborated with Google Kenya and directed Katombi to immediately remove the production from his YouTube channel and other distribution platforms where minors could access it.
The Board added that it was working with relevant law enforcement agencies and digital platforms to enforce the directive.
The statement did not specify whether any court proceedings or criminal charges had been initiated against the musician.
Directive reignites debate over artistic freedom
The action comes amid wider public debate over the boundaries between artistic expression, commercial entertainment and the protection of children from potentially harmful online content.
Katombi had previously defended the controversial video following criticism over its provocative scenes, arguing that he was not a role model for other peopleโs children and that parents should take responsibility for what their children watch.
The latest directive now shifts the controversy from public criticism to regulatory enforcement, with KFCB insisting that creative freedom must be exercised within the law.
The Board said it condemned the production and distribution of unlawful audiovisual content, adding that it remained committed to supporting the growth of Kenyaโs entertainment industry while protecting consumers, particularly children and vulnerable groups.
However, the statement did not announce a specific penalty against Katombi or confirm whether the video had already been removed from every platform targeted by the directive.
Parents urged to monitor online content
KFCB also urged parents, guardians and caregivers to take a more active role in monitoring the audiovisual content consumed by children.
The regulator encouraged families to activate parental controls available on digital platforms and report harmful or inappropriate content through its official email address, info@kfcb.go.ke.
The case raises broader questions about how Kenya enforces film classification requirements in the fast-moving digital environment, where content can be uploaded and shared widely before regulators intervene.
For musicians and digital content creators, the directive serves as a reminder that publishing entertainment online does not necessarily exempt a production from applicable classification and licensing requirements.
For now, KFCB says it is working with relevant agencies and digital platforms to enforce the removal directive, placing Katombiโs Wikend video at the centre of a renewed debate over online content regulation in Kenya.
Channel 15 News โ The Full Story First On www.channel15news.co.ke
