The Music Copyright Society Kenya (MCSK) has announced its plan to distribute Sh1,250 in royalties to artists for the year 2023 on the upcoming Thursday.
Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of MCSK, disclosed on Sunday evening that they have allocated Sh20 million, which will be evenly distributed among their 16,000 members.
Mutua explained that although they initially intended to make the announcement on Jamhuri Day, other commitments necessitated a rescheduling.
He mentioned that the Cabinet Secretary advised them to establish proper structures, and on January 25, they will disburse millions of shillings, with the Sh20 million being the first batch as they anticipate additional payments from platforms like Google.
Mutua outlined two methods for the distribution of funds, a general approach where every member receives a standard amount and a scientific approach involving software to track where each artist's music was played.
The announcement sparked reactions on social media, with veteran Genge musician Nonini expressing his disappointment, calling it a sad state of affairs.
While some social media users made light of Mutua’s announcement, jokingly questioning if the Sh1,250 each musician will receive is meant for withdrawal purposes, Mutua encouraged musicians to create music that resonates with the masses to maximize their earnings.
He expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing their focus on ensuring musicians benefit from their craft. Mutua highlighted the implementation of new tariffs, government support, and signed contracts with entities like Google, broadcasters, and matatus, aiming to provide artists with sustainable income.
He stressed the importance of musicians releasing appealing music without resorting to insults, and assured that the government is committed to ensuring the respect of musicians' copyright and fair compensation from consumers of their creative works.
Mutua concluded by stating that the collaboration between the government and Collective Management Organizations will be evident from the 25th, with new tariffs in place and close cooperation with the Kenya Copyright Board.
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