Hundreds Turn Up to Watch Kenyan Lesbian Film 'Rafiki' as Its Finally Screened in Nairobi

Kenyan lesbian film "Rafiki" has finally been screened in Nairobi following last Friday's High Court ruling that suspended its ban for a period of seven days.

The number of people who turned up for the screening on Sunday surpassed the organizers' expectations forcing, Nairobi's Prestige Cinema to add a second screen.

Those who came for the screening were asked provide proof of their age since the movie is rated 18 years and above. Already, another screening set for Thursday has been fully booked.

In May, Rafiki premiered at Cannes Festival in France, becoming the first Kenyan film to be selected by the prestigious festival.

In her ruling on Friday, High Court's Justice Wilfrida Okwany said that she was unconvinced that Kenya is a weak society whose morals could be influenced by watching a film. She directed the film be opened for viewing by adults only.

The ruling came after the film's director, Wanuri Kahiu moved to court to challenge Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) decision to ban Rafiki on grounds that it promotes lesbianism contrary to the law.

Reacting to the ruling, KFCB CEO Ezekiel Mutua vowed to stop the movie's screening and faulted the judge over the ruling.

"It would be a tragedy and a shame to have homosexual films defining the Kenyan culture. That's not who we are and homosexuality is not our way of life," Mutua said after the ruling.

He added: "If people want to screen the homosexual film in their houses that's fine. We are watching to see which public theatre will exhibit it without the Board's approval."

Wanuri will now be able to submit the film for Academy Awards, popularly referred to as Oscars. For a film to be eligible for nomination in the best foreign-language film category, it must have been shown in the country of origin.