Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) chairman Mr Edwardo Waigwa (2nd right) flanked by PERAK chairman Michael Muthami [in black T-shirt) and PAVRISK vice chairman Daniel Kinyua Kibuchi (far right) addressing the press at Red Brick Hotel in Nairobi on July 14, 2024./HANDOUT
PAVRISK has been licensed and authorised by Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) to collect and distribute royalties to musicians and audio-visual right holders
PAVRISK chairman Edwardo Waigwa warned the business community against issuance of illegal licenses bearing the names KAMP:PRISK: MCSK or KAMP:PAVRISK:MCSK or KAMP:MCSK saying these are null and void.
He stressed that it was the legitimate collection management organisation, duly authorised by Kecobo to collect and issue copyright licenses permitting individuals and business people to use copyrighted music in their business premises.
On June 16, 2025, Kecobo issued a public notice signed by the board chairman Joshua Kutuny to the general public, informing them that PAVRISK was the legitimate organisation mandated to issue copyright licenses to broadcasters and general businesses.
"We note with concern the rampant issuance of illegal invoices and Unified Copyright Licenses by some unscrupulous individuals to unsuspecting business community permitting them to use Copyrighted music in their business premises " Waigwa said.
He spoke at a joint press conference attended by Pubs Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK) officials led by their national chairman Michael Muthami in Nairobi.
PAVRISK and PERAK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designating the latter as its collection agent authorising PERAK to collect royalties from their members on behalf of PAVRISK.
He called on the business community to report such rogue individuals and organisations to the police and Kenya Copyright Board for action.
On its part, Muthami thanked the government through Kecobo for streamlining the creative sector which he said had been rocked with disputes over who was authorised to collect and distribute royalties to musicians and audio-visual right holders.
The board further clarified that valid invoices and Unified Copyright Licenses to be issued by the CMOs to users of music allowing them to play copyrighted music in the premises should specifically read PAVRISK.
The regulator stated that all invoices and unified copyright licenses issued to users should be accompanied by a corresponding KRA e-tims certificate once issued by either CMO in order to prevent cases of double licensing and payment.
Pursuant to Section 46 (12) of the Copyright Act and regulations 2001, it is illegal for any person, group of persons or organisations to carry out the royalty collections without a valid license from the Kenya Copyright Board.
“It is therefore illegal and criminal for anyone to issue invoices and unified copyright licenses to users of music under the purported and illegal joint system bearing the names of MCSK, MCSK-PAVRISK-KAMP, PAVRISK-MCSK, and KAMP-MCSK or under KAMP-PRISK-MCSK”, Kecobo warned.
The board has also appealed to users of music and members of the public to be alert and report to the regulator or security agencies such persons or unauthorised CMO conning unsuspecting users with the prohibited invoices.
PAVRISK will collect in the field of general licensing and broadcasters.
It will invoice, license and enforce use of copyrighted works in Arcades, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, malls, banks, road shows, promotional activities, DJs, eateries, schools, hospitals, clinics, radio and TV stations.
