- He said the withdrawal was a result of a breakdown in the rules of engagement by the CMOs.
- Kenya Association of Music Producers, Performers Rights Society of Kenya and the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK also appeared before the committee.
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declined requests for police escort by music royalties’ collection organizations during their licensing and revenue collective operations.
The police escort to the Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) was withdrawn in 2021.
Kindiki told MPs that his ministry would not approve the reinstatement of the escort services until a memorandum stipulating their specific roles is presented.
In his submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture, the CS disclosed that the decision to withdraw the escort was a result of a breakdown in the rules of engagement by the organizations.
The Interior CS further disclosed that police withdrew escort for CMOs to protect the image of authorities following complaints from the public.
“There were numerous complaints of extortion from the public and it was not clear who was responsible for this. Until a time where an agreement and memorandum stipulating well-defined roles of each team, the status quo remains,” Kindiki said.
The Committee chaired by Teso South MP Mary Emaase had invited the CS to deliberate on the reinstatement of the officers.
Three registered CMO's-Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) and the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) also appeared before the committee.
Emase said as a Committee they want to see the creative industry sector flourish and improve noting there should be deliberate efforts to see orderliness in the collection of royalties.
In his plea to the CS, KAMP CEO Maurice Okoth maintained that reinstating police enforcement to CMOs will enable them to perform their duties effectively.
He further alluded that since the withdrawal of police reinforcement back in 2021, their royalty collection has dropped drastically.
"We have observed a direct correlation between the presence of police officers during copyright enforcement activities and the collection of royalties. During the period when we had active police involvement, our royalties collection figures were significantly higher. In 2017 we collected Sh450 million as compared to 2021 where we collected Sh150 million,” Okoth said.
The MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua pleaded for the reinstatement saying at the moment rightful owners of music copyrights were not gaining anything as their music was being pirated.
Edward Sigei the Executive Director of the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), also told the members and the CS that withdrawal of police had resulted in threats to the lives and safety of enforcement officers.
The committee guided the CMOs to come together and present a memorandum before them and to the CS that would see performance artists earn what is rightfully theirs.
The members also urged the CMOs to do sensitization across the country to educate the public on copyright and dangers of piracy.