Ezekiel Mutua’s KFCB in trouble for banning lesbian film ‘Rafiki’

Wanuri Kahiu has sued KFCB for banning her film “Rafiki” and now wants Ksh 8.5 million in the lawsuit.

Also, in order to submit the film for the Oscar nomination which has a deadline of September 30, KFCB needs to lift the ban first. The movie needs to be shown in the country first before being submitted for the awards.

According to Kahiu preventing the distribution of Rafiki, the board violated several articles of the constitution that protect free speech and freedom of creative expression.

“If this matter is not certified urgent and heard on a priority basis, it would be rendered nugatory because Ms Kahiu’s film would be left out of the competition,” her lawyers Waikwa Wanyoike and Sofia Rajab-Leteipan were quoted saying.

Not an activist

‘Rafiki’ is the story of two young girls who have a romantic relationship but is strongly condemned and opposed by their families and community. The film became a huge controversy after Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of the board banned it early this year. Wanuri said she’s just fighting for her creativity to be seen.

“I don’t necessarily consider myself an activist; I truly consider myself a storyteller,” Wanuri said on Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film premiered in North America on Thursday.

“But when somebody starts to infringe on your rights to be creative and exercise your work, which becomes a problem. That’s when we decided to push back and take the Classification Board to court,” she was quoted saying.