Sauti Sol to submit Melanin video for review

Upon the video’s debut on 22 November, Mutua termed it pornographic and promised to seek a court injunction to ban it from airing. The chairman, who called Sauti Sol “a gifted band that is running out of ideas” added that the band can do romance without nudity.

In response, Sauti Sol’s Bien-Aime Baraza said that the board and Mutua were not the target audience. He added that the band is pushing boundaries and ‘Melanin’ expresses their art.

The board has asked Sauti Sol to submit Melanin’s video for examination and classification for age suitability. In a statement released on 23 November, Mutua stated that the band released the video without following content production and distribution regularities as per Part II of the Film and Stage Plays Act, Cap 222 of the Law of Kenya.

“It is unfortunate that a reputable band like Sauti Sol would resort to sideshows in this important matter rather than complying with the law in their operations. A band of Sauti Sol’s stature should be in the forefront in following the law and even warning consumers of their content that the video should not be accessed by children as it explores an adult theme,” he said.

Even though the video has not been banned yet, the board promised to take legal action against any TV station that’ll air it during the watershed period.