Tanzania’s regulatory body Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA) has received a shot in the arm in its fight against lewd content courtesy of an announcement by Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) boss, Ezekiel Mutua.
Speaking at the Mombasa Beach Hotel, Mutua declared that artists whose music are banned anywhere in the world will no longer enjoy a safe haven in Kenya.
The KFCB boss revealed that one of the reasons behind the move was what he termed as collusion by artists and event organizers to deny KRA revenue and the erosion of Kenya’s values and norms.
He specifically mentioned Tanzanian Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz, who has in the recent past had a run-in with the law for violating BASATA’s regulations and announced that he has roped in the police to ensure that it is not business as usual.
“Discos zinahitaji ziratibiwe kuhakikisha kwamba wasanii, hasa wa nchi za nje, hawaji humu nchini kuhujumu utamaduni wetu na maadili zetu na miziki ambazo zimekatazwa katika nchi zao na wanakuja kuperform hapa…
“Tumetangaza hapa kupitia kwa ushirikiano wetu na polisi na county commissioner kwamba we will make it very difficult for people like Diamond and other foreign artists whose content has been banned in their countries to operate here,” said Mutua.
BASATA banned Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny from performing in and outside Tanzania for ignoring an order against performing their Mwanza hit. The ban was lifted a month ago.