Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-13 21:00:00
Musicians, as creatives, often face challenges in receiving fair compensation for their hard work and talent. The issue of royalties, in particular, has been a long-standing battle between musicians and government officials or organizations such as the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK). This has become increasingly apparent in recent years, causing significant hardship for artists.
In many countries, entertainment is a major source of wealth and employment, and musicians deserve to be justly rewarded for their talents. However, in Kenya, the situation is bleak, with millions of shillings in royalties being misappropriated through the MCSK. This has left the true creators of the wealth in a state of abject poverty, while unscrupulous individuals enrich themselves at the expense of the artists.
The recent power struggle between Cabinet Secretaries Aisha Jumwa and Moses Kuria adds another layer of complexity to the issue. Jumwa has accused Kuria of interfering with her portfolio, while Kuria has proposed amendments to the Copyright Act to create a government-run Collective Management Organization for artistes. However, the focus should not be on bureaucratic power struggles, but rather on ensuring that musicians receive a reasonable return on their hard work through fair and transparent royalty payments.
At the heart of the matter is the artists’ claim that they only receive a small fraction of the royalties collected through the MCSK, with a significant portion of the money being spent on administrative costs, including salaries and allowances for board members. While the MCSK denies any wrongdoing and asserts that it is acting in the best interests of the artists, the reality for many musicians paints a different picture.
Instead of engaging in public disputes, the two CSs should be working together to ensure that musicians are able to fully benefit from their creativity and hard work. By streamlining the collection and distribution of royalties and implementing transparent processes, the government can play a crucial role in supporting the country’s music industry.
It is essential to address the systemic issues that prevent artists from receiving fair compensation, and to establish mechanisms that prioritize the interests of musicians. By doing so, Kenya can create an environment where musicians can thrive and contribute to the country’s cultural and economic prosperity. This will not only benefit individual artists but also enrich the fabric of Kenyan society as a whole.
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