Amidst Kenya’s music royalty controversy, MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua has implicated Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa, asserting that she approved the distribution of Ksh20 million to artists. Mutua’s claim comes in response to allegations of shortchanging artists, leveled against him by KECOBO chair Joshua Kutuny.
In his defense, Mutua highlighted that the distribution plan was made public on January 19, 2024, inviting feedback, which reportedly garnered no objections. However, KECOBO accused MCSK of disbursing less than a third of the estimated Ksh249 million collected in royalties, prompting calls for an EACC probe.
Mutua vehemently denied KECOBO’s claims, challenging the existence of a supposed ‘70% rule’ governing royalty distribution. He vowed legal action against those perpetuating what he labeled as deliberate misinformation.
The controversy underscores broader issues within Kenya’s music industry, including transparency and accountability in royalty management.
With artists allegedly receiving only a fraction of their entitled earnings, questions linger about the effectiveness of regulatory mechanisms and the protection of artists’ rights.
As stakeholders await further developments, the spotlight remains on MCSK, KECOBO, and the implicated government officials, with calls for decisive action to address systemic challenges and restore trust in Kenya’s music ecosystem.