Win for Kenyan artistes as pubs, hotels agree to pay for playing music
From left, Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) chairlady Iddi Achieng, Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) chairman Justus Ngemu, Pubs Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK) national vice-chair Alice Opee and Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia on October 24, 2017 in Nairobi. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NMG
The deal is expected to boost collections thereby enabling musicians to benefit from their creative works.
Bar operators said a single collections management arm would be established to engage member organisations across Kenya with a view to enhancing collections.
Pub and hotel operators in the country have finally agreed to cough up money for royalties that will go to a newly formed music composers and producers body.
In a joint statement, the operators said Tuesday that a single collections management arm would be established to engage member organisations across Kenya with a view to enhancing collection of royalties to be paid to Kenyan artistes and producers.
“We have reached a deal members on payment of music, background use of musical work and audio visual works. Every establishment will be expected to pay the amount captured in the invoice raised,” Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association chairman Patrick Muya.
The Music Publishers Association of Kenya (MPAKE), Performers Rights Society (PRISK), Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) and the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) agreed to promote voluntary payment of royalties to a joint account to be managed by national representatives of their respective associations.
MPAKE chairman, Benard Kioko, said other bodies claiming to represent musicians and producers were not allowed to collect royalties and urged Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to stop allowing his officers to accompany collectors to entertainment spots to collect cash.
PRISK chair, Iddi Achieng, welcomed the arrangement saying it would boost collections thereby enabling musicians benefit from their creative works.
