Ruto's directive on fair royalty system gets mixed reactions

Musician Esther Wahome performing during Jamuhuri Day Celebrations on December 12, 2024 at Uhuru Gardens. [Kanyiri Wahito Standard]

The creative industry remains lukewarm to a directive by President Ruto to help streamline matters royalties.

During his Jamhuri Day speech, President Ruto directed the Kenya Copyright Board (Kecobo) and other stakeholders, including e-Citizen to establish a better and working structure.

“It’s unacceptable that an artiste earns as little as Sh10,000 a year while those tasked with collecting their royalties pocket millions monthly.

“Kecobo, in conjunction with industry players and eCitizen, must establish a transparent, real-time system for royalty collection and distribution to rightful owners,” stated Ruto.

“It is my position and direction that 80 per cent of those resources should go to the artists,” Ruto directed.

Good intentions

Reacting to the news, Kamp Copyright & Related Rights Ltd Chair Angela Ndambuki cautioned that while the president may have good intentions, he has been misinformed.

“The solution is not for government to take over the collections. That would be a case of ‘from the frying pan into the fire,” she said.

Ndambuki accused the Kenya Copyright Board of being the biggest cause of confusion in the management space, pointing out that Kecobo had licensed PAVRISK “without requisite rights”.

Ndambuki says there is mistrust among its members when it comes to the regulatory body. 

“The president should start by overhauling the agency and placing individuals with rights holders interest at heart,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja at the event, promised to rename one of the roads in Nairobi’s South C estate in honour of the late singer E-Sir. “We shall be honouring our artistes by renaming some of our roads after them.