Bar and restaurant owners reject proposal for permit to play music

KECOBO Chairman Joshua Kutuny. Traders want the copyright board to withdraw license directive. [Bradley Ogolla, Standard]

Bar and restaurant owners have opposed the proposal by the government to have them pay 80 per cent of their single business permit charges for permits to play music within their premises.  

In the directive, Kenya Copyright Board through Collective Management Organisation (CMO) wants businesses to renew licenses for playing music.

Failure to adhere to this will attract a fine of Sh500,000, imprisonment for up to four years, or both as penalties if not adhered to. 

But the traders have said that the directive is punitive and are urging the copyright board to withdraw the directive.

"The charges will be very punitive and unrealistic, considering the economic status of the country and the tax burden that businesses incur currently," Stephen Okoth, a club owner in Nairobi's Embakasi stated.

Antony Njoroge, a bar and restaurant proprietor in Ngong' town said they risk closing business if the move is actualised, pointing out that it will be unaffordable.

The traders noted that the directive could hurt the sector that is already struggling in the wake of the crackdown on illicit brews.

Small and Medium Liquor Traders Association Chief Executive Officer, Francis Mbogo, urged the government to engage with them through public participation.

Secretary of Ngong Bar Owners Association, Maryann Wachuka, noted that the move could be impractical.

She said the sector already is grappling with numerous taxes, noting that the current economic status is hurting their businesses.

She urged the government to be considerate of the situation and to revert to the previous mode of collecting the revenue, where rates of licenses are based on the size of the business.

While she admitted the clubs cannot do away with entertainment, Wachuka urged the state to provide policies that will help them sustain their businesses. 

At the same time, she said there ought to be transparency in the utilisation of the funds including the remuneration of artists.