The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) have united to rejuvenate the country’s creative industry, promising a brighter future for artists.
The focal point of their recent meeting, held at the Kenya National Library Services, centered on strengthening engagement and fostering an open relationship to address longstanding misunderstandings within the creative sector.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the Chairperson KECOBO Joshua Kutuny emphasised the necessity of unity in resolving industry disputes and outlined the collaborative effort’s purpose.
He said that the primary focus was on ensuring artists receive fair compensation for their creative content, with a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability.
“Strengthening regulations on the CMOs is crucial to ensure transparency and accountability, all for the benefit of the creatives,” reiterated Mr Kutuny.
The Chairperson called for the widening of the tax net and urged content consumers, including the media sectors, to comply with royalty collection, assuring a harassment-free process.
“KECOBO intends to enhance royalty collection through the application of systems and ICT enhancement, and those who defy will be dealt with lawfully,” assured Kutuny.
A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a focus on sharing and optimizing resources. There is consideration for the potential consolidation of the three CMOs into one entity to reduce operational costs.
“Reducing costs will ensure more money reaches the artists because currently, a significant portion goes to operational expenses,” noted Kutuny.
The chairperson confirmed that the CMOs would be subject to audit and stringent rules of transparency.
Expressing contentment with the cooperation among all stakeholders, Kutuny highlighted that this meeting would be followed by engagements with the public and other stakeholders nationwide, marking a positive step toward transforming Kenya’s creative landscape.
By Kamau Maina and Damaris Munyao
