Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua has announced that the government will be disbursing a Ksh20 million payout to 16,000 Kenyan musicians on January 25, 2024.

Speaking on Monday, January 15, 2024, Mutua stated that the government through MCSK, will be paying out Ksh1,250 in royalties to each artiste.

He also pointed out that the board had signed an agreement with broadcasters, search engine Google and even the Kenyan matatu industry to actualise their plan that seeks to enable creators to earn from their work and better the Kenyan music industry.

The CEO also assured musicians that the government had amplified efforts to re-establish the Kenyan music industry into a successful hub and assured singers that the government was reviewing the tariffs and royalties to ensure that they were well compensated for their work.

While acknowledging the government's efforts in the creative industry, Mutua claimed that the Kenyan music industry has seen positive changes. He particularly stated that his leadership has been a transformative ride which has seen the current pay rates for music on YouTube increased to 16.5 per cent from 1.7 per cent.

This, he says, is higher than most countries such as the United States.

"Tarehe 25 mwezi huu tutatoa mamilioni ya pesa, serikali imetuunga mkono imepublish tarriffs mpya ama rates za muziki kuenda juu, unajua zilishushwa tangu 2019 bei ya muziki ilikua chini sana. Tumesign mkataba na google, broadcasters, tumesign na matatu na tumehakikisha kwamba wanamuziki haitakua tu ni kuimba alafu anaenda nyumbani, itakua ni kitu ambayo inawapatia heshima na kupata pesa ili waishi maisha mazuri," he stated.

He, however, encouraged musicians to venture into meaningful music free from vulgar language. While pointing that out, Mutua further assured artistes that the government will tighten copyright laws to protect musicians and ensure that their work is acknowledged as needed.

"Mambo ya muziki ni eco system, lazima wanamuziki wenyewe watoe nyimbo nzuri ambazo zinapendeza, sio lazima ikue chafu na matusi. Serikali nayo lazima ikue na sheria ambayo inalinda wanamuziki kama copyright. Hii mikakati itahakikisha kwamba wanamuziki wetu watakua kati ya watu matajiri zaidi kama vile United States," he added.

Previously, artistes such as Khaligraph Jones, Sauti Sol's Bien, and Vivianne among others have criticised MCSK over the royalties disbursed noting that the amounts are meagre contrary to their efforts.

While the musicians complained of low pay, others like Nyashinski complained that they received nothing from the payout.

"Heri wewe. Ni kama hawana number yangu," Nyashinski wrote in response to Bien's statement regarding his pay.