Kenya cracks whip, bans 50 Shades

Kenya puts the blindfold on viewers as 50 Shades of Grey banned. Photo: Facebook

Kenya cracks the whip as 50 Shades of Grey banned. Photo: Facebook

Kenya has put the blindfold on cinema goers by banning 50 Shades of Grey.

Tanzania has not taken similar steps to block the much-hyped romantic erotica drama.

The film, which is R-rated (16 and above) in Tanzania, is set to be released in theatres across the country on Valentines Day, February 14.

The Kenya Film and Classification Board made the announcement on  their Facebook page earlier this week.

“The board wishes to inform the public, film operators and stakeholders that the film, 50 Shades of Grey, has been restricted,” the Board wrote.

“It should not be screened or distributed to the public.”

The ban hasn’t gone over well on social media, with many chiding the board for being stuck in the last century.

“Dear Kenya Film and Classification Board, you have failed in the digital class,” one person wrote.

“It is a new day, technology has changed and your ‘ban’ sounds like the board has not been in the 21st century. How will the board enforce the ban when individuals watch it inside their homes or residences?”

“Just ban the internet,” writes another.

The R-16 rating is the same as other films recently shown in theatres: American Sniper, Fury and The Wedding Ringer.

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