US based Viacom will not be delivering three controversial cartoons which have been deemed to be promoting homosexuality to the Kenyan market following a protest by government.
The US media conglomerate which owns Nickelodeon which produces the cartoon has suspended the supply of The Loud House, The Legend of Korra and Hey Arnold to South African pay-TV company MultiChoice who own DStv and GOtv.
This development follows an order by Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) boss Ezekiel Mutua to MultiChoice to stop airing the shows as they were “inconsistent with Kenyan values and understanding of the institution of family.”
Mutua had cited six shows which he said were targeting Kenyan children with objectionable values.
Three other shows Clarence, Steven Universe and Adventure Time will continued to be aired albeit in edited versions.
In a response to Mutua’s order, Viacom acknowledged the concerns and took steps to remedy the situation saying that they did so with its respect for local laws, cultures and sensitivities.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by customers. While we explore a variety of options, we will suspend the shows in question in Africa,” Viacom said in a statement.
Mr Mutua acknowledged that homosexuality or material promoting the same is covered under the Freedom of Expression rights in the Constitution, the government has a duty to “protect children from such content.”
