KFCB is inspecting onboard entertainment in matatus and long-distance buses to protect children.
The film regulator and police are inspecting onboard entertainment as holiday travel increases, urging operators to protect young passengers.
A nationwide KFCB matatu crackdown is targeting entertainment screens showing sexually explicit, violent or other content unsuitable for children. The Kenya Film Classification Board is working with the National Police Service and other stakeholders on the inspections.
The operation covers matatus and long-distance buses with audiovisual equipment. It aims to protect children travelling alone or with their families during the school holidays.
In a November 10 notice, KFCB urged operators to consider young passengers when choosing onboard entertainment. With schools closed and December festive travel approaching, the regulator said inspections would continue throughout the holidays and beyond.
KFCB matatu crackdown puts operators on notice
KFCB wants public transport operators to take responsibility for the videos and other material they screen. It also reminded operators that PSVs functioning as film exhibitors must obtain the relevant licences from the Board.
Under the Films and Stage Plays Act, film exhibition and distribution in Kenya require KFCB classification and approval. The Board’s age-based guidelines include restrictions on material rated 16 and 18, which is unsuitable for younger viewers.
Exhibitors must therefore ensure the Board has examined their content and classified it for age suitability. The inspections form part of KFCB’s wider effort to enforce these requirements and keep adult content away from children.
Meanwhile, the regulator asked members of the public to report incidents involving minors’ exposure to inappropriate audiovisual material. This appeal covers matatus, buses and other public or private spaces. Members of the public can submit complaints through KFCB’s official social media platforms for investigation and action.
Holiday drive also covers online safety
The transport inspections follow an October 27 initiative to increase monitoring of online platforms and audiovisual premises. That three-month exercise also targeted gaming hubs and other entertainment establishments where children could encounter adult material.
On November 4, KFCB also engaged parents and caregivers at SOS Children’s Villages in Mombasa. The session formed part of its Parents Digital Literacy Programme, known as PaDiL, during the school holidays.
The programme focused on managing children’s screen time, activating parental controls and recognising potentially harmful online content. These practical skills aim to help caregivers guide children’s use of digital entertainment.
However, KFCB stressed that child protection must extend beyond the home, including public spaces where caregivers have limited control. It called for shared vigilance from transport operators, parents and the wider public, both online and offline.
