Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua has issued fresh directives on matatus plying different routes in the country over playing music.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, April 28, Mutua who was accompanied by the Performers Rights Society of Kenya and other stakeholders, announced that Matatu owners and operators will now be required to obtain licenses in order to play music.
The new CEO who succeeded Milcah Kulati announced the reinstatement of the collection laws stating that it is part of the economic recovery plan that will also help creatives to earn from their artistic works.
Mutua maintained that failure to obtain their licenses from MCSK would see heavy penalties imposed on matatu operators.
"The pandemic had crippled businesses in the country. We are now laying strategies to get back on your feet. Work of the collective management is not to fight businesses, our is to collect and distribute royalties for our members," Mutua stated.
Under MCSK regulations, commercial vehicles must obtain a license to play local music or even tune to a local radio station.
"We have a pay bill that that those who have violated the MCSK regulations are allowed to pay and then proceed with their journeys, or they can give the society a cheque. And if they have neither, then we will take them to the police station," MCSK official explained.
Before the regulations were suspended, commercial vehicles were expected to pay over Ksh3,500 for the license.
In the latest enforcement, concert promoters, bars and restaurants, hotels, cyber cafes, banks, salons and exhibitions will not be spared.
MCSK officials while enforcing the directive are usually accompanied by law enforcement officers. They also have a mobile inspection unit, which consists of plain-clothed officials who move in unmarked cars.
"If one has not paid, he is taken to court and charged with infringement under section 38 (2) of the Copyright Act. The fine is at the discretion of the judge and can be as high as Ksh400,000," MCSK official stated.
MCSK announced the appointment of Ezekiel Mutua as its CEO effective Friday, March 25 after what it described as "rigorous competitive interviews in which he emerged top among the candidates who were interviewed for the position."
He was appointed at the helm of MCSK just six months after he exited from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) where he served in a similar position.
