05 May 2020

On 6th April 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta through his address to the nation and update on the Coronavirus global pandemic directed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to avail KSh 100 million from the Sports Fund to help cushion creatives in Kenya from the economic impact of the pandemic. The money, he said, would go to help the actors, artistes and musicians continue with creating content during this crisis period.

Since the pronouncement, we have noted that there are speculations, confusion and mixed reactions among creatives as well as members of the public on various social media platforms regarding these funds.

As KAMP, PRISK and MCSK we wish to state the following;

1.      As of today, 04/May/2020, the three collective management organisations (CMOs); KAMP, PRISK and MCSK have NOT received the said funds from the Ministry Of Sports, Culture and Heritage;

2.      On 20th April, 2020, KAMP, PRISK and MCSK jointly wrote a letter to the Ministry of sports, culture and heritage to make a follow up on the funds. The letter was copied to the CMOs line Ministry and regulator i.e. Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs and Kenya Copyright Board respectively;

3.      As of today, we have NOT received any feedback from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage in regards to this matter.

We therefore, would like to assure our members that the issue is being handled quickly and efficiently in collaboration with the two ministries and KECOBO. Any forthcoming developments on this issue will be communicated promptly.

 By KAMP, PRISK, MCSK

06 Nov 2019

Kenya Association of Music Producers, Performers Rights Society of Kenya and Music Copyright Society of Kenya are applauding the Kisumu judicial review ruling issued by Justice Fred A. Ochieng that clears the way for the three Collective Management Organizations to continue with the Joint Copyright and Related Rights licensing.

In the new ruling issued on 5th November, Justice Fred A. Ochieng directed the 3 collective management organizations i.e. KAMP, PRISK, and MCSK to continue with the joint collections for a period of 60 days.

Justice Ochieng made the decision following a filing by Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) after the adverse judgment against them and not being a party to the suit, and made an application to be joined as an interested party in the suit and for review of the judgment.

In the ruling he also ordered that:

       I.          Music Copyright Society of Kenya be enjoined to these the proceedings as an Interested Party;

     II.          The Kenya Copyright Board and the Attorney General have 60 days to constitute a lawful Kenya Copyright Board;

    III.          That accounts shall to be rendered for the 60 days, during the time when the Lawful Board shall be undergoing reconstruction. The Accounts shall be rendered to the Kenya Copyright Board, which shall render a Report of the Accounts, to the Court, within 14 days from the expiry of the 60 days;

The justice made the decision following the filing of numerous applications by Kisumu Bar Owners in the Kisumu Judicial Review No. 4 of 2019. In the previous Judgement the court found that the Executive Director of the Kenya Copyright Board had issued a license to Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) on 1st February, 2019, at a time when the Kenya Copyright Board was not properly constituted thus, the Executive Director had acted without the requisite legal mandate.

The matter is set to mention on 04/02/2020 for further Directions and Orders