Relief for Kenyan musicians as MCSK announces Ksh.37M royalty distribution

The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) on Thursday announced the distribution of Ksh.37,500,000 in royalties collected during the period July 1 – December 31, 2019.

MCSK Chairman Japheth Kasanga, during a press address, announced that 60% of the royalties would be distributed to the “best and most representative list of works that have been performed” while 40% would be distributed generally to all members.

He also stated that, from the said amount, Ksh.1,875,000 shall be set aside to pay 5% withholding TAX (statutory deductions); Ksh.715,000 will cater for bank and M-Pesa charges; while Ksh.3 million shall be disbursed to International Right Holders through the Performers Rights Society (PRS) for Music.

Mr. Kasanga noted that all royalties collected from licensing Performances in Public Places (PPP) should be distributed twice a year, that is as from April 30 and October 31.

He however stated that distribution of royalties collected from PPP that ought to have commenced as from October 31, 2019 was postponed due to “prevailing circumstances at the time” occasioned by extensive engagements ICT and the Kenya Copyright Board, which culminated to the signing of an MOU on December 20, 2019.

“This MOU provided clear modalities of future working arrangement between MCSK, KAMP and PRISK with the full support of the Government of Kenya under strict supervision of the Copyright Regulator,” he said.

“On behalf of Right Holders, both Kenyan and International, the Governing Council of MCSK would like to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for his assurance that his government will fully support Right Holders of copyrighted musical works, through the relevant ministries in concert with the CMOs and concerned government departments, by ensuring that there is compliance with the Copyright Act Laws of Kenya.”

Mr. Kasanga further added: “We look forward to the publishing in the Kenya Gazette of the revised Joint Royalty Collection Tariff as directed by His Excellency the President of Kenya because this shall go a long way towards ensuring that there is more royalties collected for distribution to Right Holders as per MCSK Distribution Calendar.”

MCSK CEO Milka Kulati told Citizen Digital on phone that Sauti Sol was the highest earner in the royalty distribution, taking home approximately Ksh.400,000.

The top 20 earners, in order, based on airplay data collected from radio and T.V stations, are as listed below:

1. Sauti Sol
2. Nyashinski
3. Chritina Shusho
4. Mercy Masika
5. Eunice Njeri
6. Bahati
7. Gloria O. Muliro
8. King Kaka
9. Les Wanyika
10. Otile Brown
11. Octopizzo
12. Daddy Owen
13. Willy Paul
14. Ringtone
15. Nameless
16. Khaligraph Jones
17. Susumila
18. Jua cali
19. Collo
20. Sarah Kay