In a landmark ruling, the Nairobi court has ordered content creator Brian Mutinda and electronics company Syinix to pay renowned rapper Nonini (Hubert Mbuku Nakitare) Ksh 4 million for the unauthorized use of his hit song, “Wee Kamu.”
The song was featured in a promotional skit shared on Mutinda’s TikTok and Syinix’s Facebook page without seeking Nonini’s permission. Principal Magistrate Hosea Ng’ang’a delivered the ruling, emphasizing the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in Kenya’s creative industry.
Nonini, who had filed the lawsuit in August 2022, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. He highlighted how crucial this ruling is for artists to receive recognition and compensation for their work. The case underscores the need for businesses and content creators to secure proper licensing before using copyrighted material.
This judgment sets a strong precedent for similar cases, reinforcing the significance of respecting intellectual property in Kenya’s growing digital content space.
By Newsmedia