Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has issued a new directive on the hiring of police officers to accompany MCSK officials in their operations.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, dated August 30, Mutyambai ordered the withdrawal of such services to the MCSK citing abuse.
The IG stated that he had been made aware of the alleged misuse of police officers by MCSK in the soliciting of bribes from members of the public.
“My office has learnt that members of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya have been hiring police officers to officer security during their operations and have been extorting money from the unsuspecting public using the officers as bait to demand more money,” read part of the statement from Mutyambai.
He further noted that the action by MCSK was tainting the image of the National Police service.
“In this regard, I hereby direct that no police officer is authorised to accompany MCSK staff while performing their operations. This malpractice is tainting the image of the national police service,” the statement further stated.
The letter was directed to Edward Mbugua, the Deputy IG Kenya Police Service, Noor Gabow Deputy IG administration police and George Kinoti the director of DCI.
This comes barely two weeks after the music body was under fire from artists over meagre royalties.
Rapper Khaligraph Jones opened the barrage of attacks after receiving an M-Pesa payment of only Ksh2,530 from MCSK.
Many artists came out to question how the sum, which seemed to be a standard payment to many, was arrived at.
During the burial of benga music legend John De'Mathew, President Uhuru Kenyatta revealed that he had directed the DCI and EACC to investigate the issue.
