Singer Avril and Wanjiku Stephens clash over whether the Government can fix Kenya’s music royalties mess after the singer shared a photo taken during a meeting with Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, Dennis Itumbi, on a new music royalties framework.

Avril, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, said she was invited alongside other artists and industry stakeholders to listen and understand the new system being rolled out through ECitizen, saying the process gave hope to musicians who have struggled for years.

“Humbled that I was invited alongside fellow artists and industry stakeholders to listen and understand the new music royalties framework being rolled out through ECitizen,” Avril said while explaining why the meeting mattered to her.

She added that the new plan focuses on transparency and allows artists to see how royalties are collected and shared, something she said she has spoken about for a long time.

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“There’s a renewed focus on transparency and ensuring artists can see how royalties are collected and shared, something I’ve been loud about, something we’ve long talked about! Finally happening!” she said.

“Grateful for the space to be heard and hopeful about what this could mean for every Kenyan musician moving forward. Thank you for engaging with us, Sir,” she stated.

Wanjiku Stephens reacted sharply to Avril’s remarks, questioning the value of government involvement in solving the long-running royalties problem facing creatives.

“It was nice knowing you,” Wanjiku wrote, a comment that started a public exchange between the two creatives.

Avril responded by challenging Wanjiku to offer an alternative solution, pointing to the long history of struggles artists have faced over royalties.

“And what’s your solution to the over 20-year-old fight myself and other artists have been going through at the hands of our royalty grabbers? Here to listen just like I did above,” Avril said.

Wanjiku then laid out her position, arguing that the government has failed creatives and should not be trusted to fix the industry’s problems.

“It’s very simple. What has the Government done for creatives in this country apart from oppressing them? And you wonder why most of them are frustrated and depressed ?” she said.

She called on artists to work among themselves and avoid government spaces when looking for solutions to industry challenges.

“Sit down with like-minded people (that are not in the government). Come up with ideas that can help the industry,” Wanjiku added.

Wanjiku concluded by saying creatives already can change their situation if they organise better and create platforms to share ideas.