Kenyan content creators could face changes in the regulatory framework governing films and stage plays after a new amendment Bill was tabled in Parliament.Â
The Films and Stage Plays (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been published as part of the National Assembly Bills in the Kenya Gazette.
In a Gazette notice dated September 18, 2026, the Bill was listed under Supplement No. 136 of the National Assembly Bills, 2026. The Films and Stage Plays (Amendment) Bill, 2026 appears on page 1159 of the Gazette.
“SUPPLEMENT Nos. 134, 135, 136, 137, 138 and 139. National Assembly Bills, 2026… Bill Title: The Films and Stage Plays (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Page: 1159,” the notice captured.
The notice was published alongside other National Assembly Bills, including the Crops Laws (Amendment) Bill, the Regional Development Authorities Laws (Repeal) Bill, and amendments to water and irrigation laws.
What Content Creators Need to Know On Films and Stage Plays Amendment Bill 2026
The Bill is sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and was introduced in Parliament on June 5, 2026, as National Assembly Bill No. 32 of 2026.
It seeks to amend the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap. 222, by providing for the dissolution of the Kenya Film Classification Board.
The bill states its principal object as:
“To amend the Films and Stage Plays Act, Cap. 222 to provide for the dissolution of the Kenya Film Classification Board and revert the functions performed by the Board to the relevant Ministry.”
Under the proposed amendments, the Bill would remove references to the “Board” from the Act and replace them with provisions referring to the Cabinet Secretary responsible for films and stage plays.
The Bill proposes transferring the regulatory, licensing, and classification functions currently exercised by KFCB to the Cabinet Secretary and licensing officers appointed within the Ministry.
KFCB Set for Dissolution
Films and Stage Plays Bill seeks to repeal Sections 11, 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D of the Films and Stage Plays Act, which provide for the establishment, membership, appointments and staffing of KFCB.
Once the proposed law takes effect, KFCB would cease to exist as a corporate body.
The Bill provides for the transfer of KFCB’s rights, duties, obligations, assets and liabilities to the Cabinet Secretary.
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Existing contracts, approvals, licenses and legal documents referring to KFCB would be treated as referring to the Cabinet Secretary.
Pending applications and court cases involving KFCB would continue, with the Cabinet Secretary taking the Board’s place.
Regulation and Appeals Under New System
Licensing officers appointed by the Cabinet Secretary would handle registration, examination, classification, and licensing of films and stage plays.
The proposed changes would leave the existing age-classification restrictions in place.
A person aggrieved by a decision made by a licensing officer would be able to appeal to the Cabinet Secretary.
The Cabinet Secretary would have powers to confirm, vary or reverse the decision, with the Bill providing that the Cabinet Secretary’s decision would be final.
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Films and Stage Plays Bill also provides that KFCB employees would not lose their jobs solely because of the Board’s abolition.
Employees serving at KFCB immediately before the law takes effect would be redeployed within the public service.
Proponents have presented the changes as a way to streamline film regulation, reduce duplication and costs, and align regulation with government policy.
Critics, including some creative-sector stakeholders, have raised concerns about increased government control over classification and licensing, as well as the potential impact on independence and artistic expression.
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