• It has reformed for transparency after Kecobo forwarded complaints to the DCI
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
The Music Copyright Society of Kenya has defended itself in the disputed distribution of royalties.
A statement sent to Word Is by MCSK said their integrity was being discredited to incite its holders.
“MCSK would like to assure its members, users of copyrighted works and the general public that we execute our mandate of collecting and distributing royalties as per the established laws, regulations and policies,” it said.
This comes as the Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) releases the first distribution this year of Sh44 million to Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to be distributed to artistes.
The distribution began on Wednesday last week with MCSK, one of the three CMOs alongside the Performance Rights Society of Kenya (Prisk) and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (Kamp).
Kecobo held discussions with members to explain the formula of payment it will adopt to avoid complaints in future from those who may be disgruntled.
Kecobo is the regulatory body that oversees CMOs, while CMOs manage artistes’ rights in their copyright works. The release of the money comes a month after a showdown between the two.
Kecobo put pressure on MCSK, Prisk and Kamp, citing irregularities in the CMOs’ management.
Kecobo executive director Edward Sigei said his board had forwarded several complaints to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for action.
In its statement, MCSK said it had put in new structures to prove it had nothing to hide from its members.
“In February 2020, the tripartite board of directors of MCSK, Kamp and Prisk resolved that they shall not engage the services of Liberty Afrika Technologies Limited, a content service provider," it said.
“But in March 2020, the CEOs of MCSK, Kamp and Prisk signed an agreement, awarding licensing system tender to Liberty Afrika Technologies Limited.
“On March 25, 2020, the CEOs expressed their reservations in the manner of signing the agreement and formally withdrew their signatures to the agreement.”
Kecobo said the new digital royalty collection module was established to better account for royalties collected and distributed.
MCSK says the system is still under construction and cannot monitor music usage and distribution of royalties as alluded.
Kamp faulted the new collection and distribution system. It said since it was established, it has distributed royalties amounting to Sh344 million. It said had the circumstances been more favourable, it would have collected and distributed more.
The MCSK officials say the society suffered a huge financial loss recently. During the last MCSK distribution, Sauti Sol was the highest-paid, taking home Sh400,000 in 2019.
Gloria Muliro, Eunice Njeri, Bahati King Kaka and Octopizzo were among the top earners.