MSCK records Sh 37.5 Million of royalties distribution to the Kenyan artists

MCSK Chairman Japheth Kasanga. PHOTO | BMS

Artists in Kenya have something to smile after the royalties rose by 20% in the financial year ended in 2019 compared to 2018.


The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has published the distribution of Ksh.37,500,000 in royalties obtained during the financial period July 1 – December 31, 2019.


MCSK Chairman Japheth Kasanga, during a press conference, 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.


However, he stated that distribution of royalties collected from PPP that ought to have begun as from October 31, 2019, was suspended due to “prevailing circumstances at the time” occasioned by extensive engagements ICT and the Kenya Copyright Board, which ended into the signing of an MOU on December 20, 2019.


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