I am in charge! Aisha Jumwa tells Moses Kuria over plan to pay music royalties via eCitizen

This follows an announcement from Kuria on Sunday that the government is working on a plan to have all music copyrights and royalties paid through the eCitizen platform.

Kuria intimated that there are plans underway to amend the Copyright Act to create a government-run Collective Management Organisation (CMO).

Hours after the statement was posted on X, Jumwa commented that it is her ministry's undertaking to make the announcements regarding the service and not Kuria's.

While appreciating Kuria's enthusiasm in making his opinion, Jumwa said that there are still ongoing talks "on streamlining the industry" and an official announcement will be made at the opportune time.

"I like the zeal of my Colleague and Friend @HonMoses_Kuria and in the spirit of one gov't approach, this opinion is valid. However, my ministry through the state department of Culture, Arts & Heritage is in charge and is working," Jumwa wrote. 

"Once discussions are concluded, the ministry will pronounce itself on the next course of action. Asante."

This lies on the backdrop of a directive issued by Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung'u that all government services would be onboarded on the eCitizen platform and every service will have access fees effective December 14, 2023.

The High Court in Nairobi has however temporarily halted a directive issued by Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang ordering parents to pay school fees via the platform.

The petition was filed by Nakuru doctor Magare Gikenyi who moved to court to challenge the initiative which he termed as illegal, arguing that it violated the principles of good governance.