The Board of Directors of Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), during a meeting held on 22nd June 2023, resolved to reinstate Ms. Angela Ndambuki as the Board Chairperson. Ms. Ndambuki had previously been elected as the first female Chairperson of the Board in January 2023, serving for a period of three months.

During her tenure as the Board Chairperson, Ms. Faith Kithele achieved the extension of KAMP’s operating license for a period of twelve (12) months, up to May 2024. 

Ms. Angela Ndambuki made significant strides in promoting and protecting the rights of music producers in Kenya. Notably, under her leadership, KAMP's license was successfully renewed by the Kenya Copyright Board, the industry regulator. Additionally, Ms. Angela also led the first music representatives' trip to South Africa, resulting in the signing of a memorandum between KAMP and the South Africa Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA).

Given Ms. Ndambuki's track record and her proven ability to deliver results, the KAMP board has full confidence in her leadership and believes she will take the association to further heights.

We are glad to have Ms. Ndambuki back as the Chair of the Board and look forward to springboard KAMP to global recognition. 

The Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) has been awarded a full-year collective management license by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), allowing the organization to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of music producers in Kenya. This milestone achievement follows KAMP's successful completion of a forensic audit and royalty distribution for the period under review, as well as meeting other necessary conditions set by KECOBO.

KAMP's Chairperson, Ms. Faith Kithele, expressed her joy at the news, stating that it was a significant achievement for the organization and the entire music industry in Kenya. "This full-year collective management license is a game-changer for us. It provides stability and certainty for our operations, which will allow us to better serve our members and ensure that they receive their rightful royalties," said Ms. Kithele.

Kenyan music has a rich history that dates back to pre-colonial times when various tribes and communities had their unique musical styles and instruments. Over time, Kenyan music has evolved, incorporating different styles and influences from around the world. In this post, we'll explore the history of Kenyan music and its various styles and influences.

Traditional Music of Kenya

Before colonialism, Kenyan music was primarily vocal and instrumental music that was performed during cultural and social events. The music varied from one community to another, and each community had its unique instruments and musical styles. Some of the commonly used instruments included drums, stringed instruments like the lyre and the nyatiti, and wind instruments like the flute.

The arrival of Europeans in Kenya in the late 19th century brought about significant changes in the country's musical landscape. Missionaries introduced Western music, which led to the creation of choral groups that combined Western and traditional Kenyan music.