KECOBO STOPS MCSK FROM COLLECTING MUSIC ROYALTIES

Kenya Copyright Board of Kenya (KECOBO) has declined to give Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) a new operation license for 2023.

In a letter dated January 12, 2023, addressed to MCSK’s CEO Ezekiel Mutua, KECOBO explained why it will not be renewing the license. “As per my last communication addressed to your advocates, I wish to inform you that your license application was incomplete for non-payment of requisite fee for 2021 and 2023 licensing period and failure to provide the following documents required by the Copyright regulations 2020: List of beneficiaries and amounts paid in royalties for 2022. Audited Financial Statements for period up to June 2022. Failure to provide an authenticated list of members.” Said KECOBO Executive Director Edward Sigei.

KECOBO ordered MSCK to stop collecting music royalties immediately, “This is therefore to inform you that your application has failed to meet the statutory standard for the above reasons set out. You are directed to cease collection forthwith.”

In 2016 KECOBO declined to renew MCSK’s license citing failure to submit list of members and audited financials statement, something that MCSK denied. Instead, a new entity dubbed Music Publishers Association of Kenya Ltd (MPAKE) was given the green light by KECOBO to collect royalties on behalf of the artistes. However, a court judgment on July 13, 2018 by Justices R.N Sitati, D.S. Majanja and T.W. Cherere declared the license to MPAKE null and void leaving the industry in a state of confusion.