Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage CS Aisha Jumwa now says that there are ongoing discussions between the ministry and stakeholders in the music industry to streamline royalties collection services.
In a statement on Monday, Jumwa in response to remarks by Public Service CS Moses Kuria that the government was working on plans to set up a state-run Collective Management Organisation (CMO) said her ministry will give its position on the matter once the talks with stakeholders are completed.
She insisted that while she believes in the spirit of whole-of-government-approach in providing solutions, the issue of CMOs falls directly under her ministry.
Jumwa also noted that she fully welcomes Kuria's opinion on the issue, but insisted that her ministry is tirelessly working to streamline the music sector in the country.
"I like the zeal of my colleague and friend Moses Kuria and in the spirit of one government approach this opinion is valid. However, my ministry through the State Department of Culture, Arts & Heritage is in charge and is working on streamlining the industry," Jumwa said on X.
"There are ongoing discussions with stakeholders in the industry to streamline it. Once discussions are concluded, the ministry will pronounce itself on the next course of action. Asante."
Speaking on Sunday, Kuria said the state is currently working on amendments to the Copyright Act to allow the creation of the CMO.
The CS added that copyright fees and royalties will be paid through the e-Citizen platform, just like all other state services.
He noted that once enacted, Kenyan artists will be registered and will have individual accounts where they can also track how much money is collected by the CMO.
"The government is spearheading amendments to the Copyright Act to create a government-run Collective Management Organisation. All music, copyrights and royalties will be paid through E-Citizen," Kuria said on X.
"Our artists will be individually registered. They can view online how much money is collected. Siku 40 za wezi wa jasho ya artists zimeisha."
CMOs act as intermediaries between copyright holders and users. They manage the licensing of works to users, collect the payments, and pass them on to the copyright holders.
