Gospel musician William Getumbe has emerged victorious in a high-profile legal tussle with the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), following his brief detention over alleged licensing violations tied to his popular song "Yesu Ninyandue."
Getumbe was detained at Kapsoya Police Station in Eldoret after KFCB officials demanded that he acquire a license to share his gospel content on social media platforms. The board further directed him to travel to Nairobi within seven days to comply—an ultimatum the artist labeled as harsh and unconstitutional.
“The conditions outlined in the letter were not only harsh but also infringed on my constitutional rights. I could not travel to Nairobi as instructed,” said Getumbe.
His legal team, led by lawyer Mark, challenged the directive in a constitutional court. In a ruling that has since resonated across Kenya’s digital creative landscape, Justice Mugambi suspended the case and nullified KFCB’s demands.
“This ruling is a win for everyone who uses social media to share content. It sends a clear message that creativity and freedom of expression cannot be stifled,” Getumbe stated after the judgment.
The court’s decision has sparked widespread celebration among content creators and digital rights advocates, who see the verdict as a crucial affirmation of free expression in the digital age.
Getumbe warned that enforcing licensing and payment requirements for online content could stifle innovation and hurt youth livelihoods. “Many young people earn a living through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Imposing restrictions would be a huge blow to their economic freedom,” he said.
He encouraged fellow artists and influencers to continue using social media for positive impact, while urging regulators to adopt more inclusive and forward-thinking policies.
The landmark ruling has reignited national debate on digital content regulation in Kenya, with growing calls for the government to revise outdated frameworks and better support the country’s booming creative economy.
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