“Siku 40 za wezi wa jasho ya artists zimeisha,” Public Service CS Moses Kuria fired warning shots to Ezekiel Mutua and others.
Kuria announced that the government is working on a plan to have all music copyrights and royalties to be paid through the eCitizen platform.
He intimated that the government is seeking to make amendments to the Copyright Act to create a government-run Collective Management Organisation (CMOs).
“The government is spearheading amendments to the Copyright Act to create a government run Collective Management Organisation. All music, copyrughts and royalties will be paid through E-Citizen. Our artists will be individually registered. They can view online how much money is collected. Siku 40 za wezi wa jasho ya artists zimeisha,” Moses Kuria wrote.
Kuria’s announcement comes weeks after Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua came under attack when he announced the planned disbursement of royalties.
Mutua announced that MCSK will be disbursing a Ksh20 million payout to 16,000 Kenyan musicians on January 25, 2024.
The statement was interpreted to mean that all the musicians registered under MCSK would be paid a meager Ksh1,250 each.
Related: Ezekiel Mutua denies that MCSK will pay all musicians peanuts
