The Kenyan film board says that a documentary film about the life of a gay couple in Kenya has been banned in the country.

In a statement the KFCB said that the film, I am Samuel, promoted same-sex marriage which goes against legislation that outlaw’s homosexuality.

It added that the film was also an “affront” to the constitution “which recognizes the family as the basic unit of society and defines marriage as between two persons of the opposite gender”.

“Any attempt to exhibit, distribute, broadcast or possess the restricted film within the Republic of Kenya shall be met with the full force of the law,” Chris Wambua, the acting head of the film board, told journalists.

The film, directed by Peter Murimi, was released last year.

Filmed over five years it charts the relationship of Sam and his boyfriend Alex against a backdrop of violence and discrimination.

The KFCB made a ruling on the film as it had been asked to give it a classification.

I Am Samuel is the second gay-themed film to be banned in Kenya. In 2018, cinemas were forbidden from showing Rafiki, which focussed on a lesbian love story.