Kenya: Two illegal streaming sites shut down

The operation, which was conducted in Githunguri and Kasarani recently, also saw the arrest of two suspects involved in the illegal distribution of premium content and the confiscation of equipment including two cellphones and two laptops.

“The distribution of pirated content by the suspects not only undermines the Kenyan economy but also harms the entertainment industry and content creators,” PAP chairperson and MyMovies.Africa co-founder Mike Strano said. “This illicit activity deprives rightful owners of their due revenue and impacts the overall investment in quality content creation.”

MultiChoice Kenya anti-piracy manager Fredrick Saramba said: “Pirate operations continue to profit from content that they have not invested in. They steal high-quality finished products that involve significant investment in terms of money, time and talent, posing a significant threat to the local creative industry.”

Saramba, who is also the head of detection and enforcement at PAP, added: “The illegal streaming operators promise unlimited access to premium content at extremely low subscription fees, exacerbating the challenges of bringing them down.” 

The raid underscores PAP’s ongoing efforts to combat piracy and protect the rights of content creators in Kenya. PAP estimates that piracy costs Kenya’s creative economy approximately Ksh92bn ($700m) annually, or Ksh252m daily, in gross losses. It says piracy deprives the music industry of Ksh15bn and TV stations of Ksh8bn annually. 

An Irdeto survey indicates that piracy is gaining momentum, with users in five major African territories, including Kenya, making 17.4 million visits to the top 10 identified piracy sites on the internet in three months. 

Bernsoft founder and PAP deputy head of detection and enforcement Bernard Kioko said: “A major challenge we face is compounded by the lower price offerings of this premium content on pirate websites. At this rate, it would be difficult for the industry to sustain legitimate content businesses and support the growth of film crews, artists and other affiliated professionals.

“As an association that continuously protects content from our creatives, we remain committed to fighting piracy, and we call upon Kenyans to help us crack down on this menace by sharing tips on such activities, even as we prepare for the upcoming Euro 2024. We believe that together we can develop and grow a robust local creative economy,” he said.