A new Bill has proposed abolishing the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) and transferring its powers to the relevant Cabinet Secretary, ending the Board’s role in regulating the film industry if the proposed changes are approved.
The Films and Stage Plays Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to dissolve the Board and revert its functions to the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, in line with recommendations to restructure State corporations.
The Bill, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, proposes amendments to the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap 222, by removing the legal provisions that establish the Kenya Film Classification Board and replacing them with a ministry-led regulatory system.
“The principal object of this Bill is to amend the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap. 222 to provide for the dissolution of the Kenya Film Classification Board and revert the functions performed by the Board to the relevant Ministry,” reads the Bill.
The proposed changes are aimed at addressing operational and financial challenges, improving service delivery and reducing reliance on government funding.
The Bill states that the reforms are “in line with the recommendations of the Cabinet on the restructuring of State Corporations with a view to addressing operational and financial inefficiencies, enhancing service delivery and reducing reliance on the Exchequer.”
Under the proposed law, the definition of the word “Board” will be removed from the Act, while the term “Cabinet Secretary” will be introduced to mean the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to films and stage plays.
The Bill also proposes that licensing officers will be public officers from the relevant ministry appointed by the Cabinet Secretary.
It seeks to repeal sections 11, 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D of the Act, which provide for the establishment of KFCB, its membership, appointment of members, appointment and duties of the chief executive officer and other staff of the Board.
If passed, the Cabinet Secretary will take over the functions currently performed by KFCB, while licensing officers will handle duties related to film registration, examination and licensing.
The proposed amendments provide that films will only be exhibited after registration by a licensing officer, while certificates of approval will be issued by the Cabinet Secretary.
The Bill proposes changes to several sections of the Act by replacing references to the Board with either the Cabinet Secretary or licensing officers.
Under the proposed changes, licensing officers will examine films and posters and determine whether they should be approved, rejected or allowed after edits.
Where a film is approved with cuts, the licensing officer will have the power to make the excisions and keep the removed sections.
The Bill proposes replacing the current provisions under which the Board makes decisions on film classification with a system where licensing officers will make the rulings.
It states that if a licensing officer considers a film unsuitable for general exhibition, the officer will record the decision in one of the approved classification categories.
Where a film is classified as “for adults only”, the licensing officer will issue a certificate of approval with the condition that no child shall be admitted to the exhibition.
The Bill retains existing restrictions on films considered harmful to public order or offensive to public decency.
It also provides that any licence, certificate of approval, permission or approval issued by the Board before the law takes effect will remain valid until it expires or is revoked.
“Any pending applications before KFCB will be treated as applications made to the Cabinet Secretary and will be determined under the new law,” reads the Bill.
The proposed law further provides for the transfer of KFCB’s assets and liabilities.
According to the Bill, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury will issue a Gazette notice specifying when and how the assets and liabilities of the Board will be transferred to the National Treasury and the relevant ministry.
“All rights, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Kenya Film Classification Board shall be automatically and fully transferred to the Cabinet Secretary and any reference to the Kenya Film Classification Board in any contract or document shall for all purposes be deemed to be a reference to the Cabinet Secretary,” the Bill states.
It also provides that any court cases involving the Board before the law comes into effect will continue as if the Cabinet Secretary had replaced the Board as a party.
Employees working at KFCB will not lose their jobs if the Bill becomes law. Instead, they will be redeployed within the public service.
“A person who was, immediately before the commencement of this Act, an employee of the Board and who was serving at the Board shall, upon the commencement of this Act, be redeployed in the public service,” reads the Bill.
The proposed changes will also affect county governments because public entertainment and public amenities, including cinemas, are functions assigned to counties under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Bill notes that although the reforms are intended to reduce government costs, implementing the changes may result in additional public expenditure.
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