Performers Rights Organisation of Kenya (PRISK) and the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) have released new rates that apply to politicians using Kenyan songs to campaign.
In a newspaper notice on one of the local dailies, the advocacy groups warned that the rampant use of local songs without licensed use amounted to breaking the law.
"The unlicenced Communication to the Public of sound recordings and audiovisual works in political rallies and campaigns constitutes illegal exploitation of producer and performer works in accordance with the Copyright Act," the public notice read in part.
The bodies further instructed that the politicians immediately remit the licensing fees to them in order to acquire the required permits.
For the entire 2017 campaign period, Presidential candidates will have to part with Sh400,000 each, while every governor hopeful will have to part with Sh150,000 to be allowed to use the songs.
Tariffs for those wishing to become Senators will be charged Sh100,000, Woman Representatives and Members of Parliament will pay Sh50,000 and Ward representatives Sh12,500 each.
The fees will not apply to live performances during the campaign rallies as politicians will have to negotiate terms of payment with each act.
"For KAMP and PRISK, these [fees] will be collected for fixated recordings, for live performances they will still have to pay the performer," CEO of PRISK Angela Ndambuki explained.
The 15,082 aspirants contesting in the August polls have until June 16, 2017 to adhere to the requirement or face legal action.
