The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua has today distributed royalties to its 16,000 members worth Kshs. 20 million.
Artistes from all cadres in the country were present to receive their royalties.
The highest got Kshs.700,000 while the least got around Ksh.10,000.
Top musicians present include Esther Wahome, Evelyn Wanjiru, Solomon Mkubwa, Stephen Kasolo, Freshly Mwamburi, Naomi Nyongesa amongst others.
Gospel artist Esther Wahome speaking to journalists in a Nairobi Hotel.
MCSK uses both scientific and general methods to allocate the Kshs. 20 million it collects from music users every quarter.
“Scientific distribution refers to the actual airplay of members’ works within the period under review. However, there are members whose songs get minimal or no airplay at all, but because they are our members the Board allocates some general amounts- normally 2000 in line with MCSK distribution rules,” said chairperson MCSK Lazarus Muli told our publication on Thursday.
He added that the amount of royalties each member receives depends on the popularity and relevance of their songs, and that music is seasonal and royalties accrue from works that are active.
“If you did your song in the 70s and it’s not played on radio or in public places, you settle for the general token,” he said.
“Last year we had someone getting KES 330,000 under scientific, while the least under general was KES 650 which will be a thing of the past,” Mutua noted during the function.
Mutua also assured the members that MCSK is back in business after facing several challenges in the past years, such as legal disputes, regulatory hurdles and piracy.
MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua poses for a photo after the issuance of Royalties ceremony in Nairobi on Thursday.
