Kenya: KAMP distributes $63 000 in second batch of Q1 royalties

During a presentation event in the capital Nairobi on 11 June, the collective management organisation (CMO) said that the amount was part of the Ksh17m it declared for distribution for Q1 2024. 

It said it employed the scientific method to collect and distribute the second batch of royalties. Scientific distribution monitors catalogue metrics to determine payment, and KAMP said that for Q1 2024 it monitored leading radio and TV stations in Kenya between December 2023 and March 2024. 

“We are pleased to announce to our members that we have completed processes for the first scientific distribution in over a decade,” KAMP chairperson Angela Ndambuki said. “The amount being released today is the balance from what was declared on 5 April during the special general meeting. Ksh9m was paid out as general distribution, leaving the balance of Ksh8m. The scientific amount has been split equally, with 50% being distributed to its international affiliates through agreements with the international record labels.”

KAMP said that the highest paid local member earned Ksh1.2m, while the second- and the third-highest received Ksh734 700 and Ksh697 000, respectively. Former Sauti Sol frontman Bien-Aimé Baraza, who was present during the announcement, is the highest paid individual artist, while Sauti Sol’s Sol Generation is one the top earning record labels. 

“Some members have requested us not to state their names, but we shall submit the full report to the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) with names and amounts for all members being paid since we are required to account for all monies we collect and distribute,” she said

“KAMP is happy to report that we now have completed the Q1 royalties’ declaration that had both general and catalogue-based payments and the scientific payments, in accordance with our distribution rules. Noting that this is from only 21.12% of amounts KAMP receives from the collections, we are thus far happy with the performance.”

KAMP has once again denounced the decision by KECOBO to grant a sole CMO licence to the Performing and Audiovisual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK), formerly the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK). KAMP cited PAVRISK’s lack of transparency and failure to distribute royalties to its members as some of the reasons it will be challenging the decision in court. 

KAMP CEO Maurice Okoth said KECOBO’s decision was hampering their ability to support the growth of the Kenyan music industry, while KAMP board director Suzanne Gachukia-Opembe termed the move “unacceptable”.

KECOBO’s directive has also been criticised by a number of Kenyan musicians, with some of them holding a demonstration outside the regulator’s headquarters in Nairobi on 12 June. The musicians said they had no faith in PAVRISK and called for KECOBO chairman Joshua Kutuny to be removed from office for allegedly sanctioning the decision.

Writing on social media, US-based Kenyan rapper Nonini said: “We wanted KECOBO to stop licensing organisations that are stealing and misappropriating the rights owners’ money, and from their own forensic audits, PAVRISK is guilty of these illegalities.”