Kenyan singers and musicians from various counties have opposed the government's plan to use eCitizen to collect their royalties.
This follows the suggestion made last week by Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria that the government wants to amend the Copyright Act to create a Collective Management Organization (CMO) governed by the government and entrusted with collecting royalties from artists.
Speaking to the media following the AGM in Maanzoni, Machakos County, on Friday, CEO of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), Ezekiel Mutua, further emphasized the government's lack of involvement in music production and reaffirmed the idea that copyright is private property by stating that the move would be ineffective.
Mutua also pleaded with the government to hold off on implementing the measure because he believes it may result in legal disputes.
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In the same vein, he cautioned that since private rights cannot be restricted, the action might damage President William Ruto's standing.
The CEO of MCSK also blasted musicians, claiming they have been deceiving Cabinet Secretaries by urging the government to use eCitizen to collect their copyright and royalties.
Lazarus Muli, the chairman of the MCSK, echoed his views when he emphasized the value of individual liberty and the intimate quality of music, both of which should be safeguarded.
Muli called on the government to assist in enforcing regulations to protect music and guarantee fair compensation for its creators.
He also lamented the fact that some musicians were allegedly against their efforts. Still, he emphasized that Kenyan musicians could rise to the top of the continent's music industry with solid enforcement.
The musician 'Man Ingwe' emphasized that music is artists' intellectual property and should not be taken away from them by force.
He also demanded that the government step in and refrain from enforcing the proposed collection procedure.
The other musicians in attendance at the press conference were Esther Wahome, Zipporah Eric, Solomon Mkubwa, and Victor Mbuvia.
It appears that CS Kuria's comments regarding the eCitizen platform's ability to collect all music copyrights and royalties offended his counterpart, Aisha Jumwa, who is in charge of gender, culture, arts, and heritage and insisted that the issue is under her purview.
Jumwa acknowledged Kuria's eagerness to voice his thoughts but added that discussions are still in progress "on streamlining the industry" and that a formal announcement will be made when it is most convenient.
"I like the zeal of my colleague and friend Moses Kuria and in the spirit of one gov't approach, this opinion is valid. However, my ministry through the state department of Culture, Arts & Heritage is in charge and is working," Jumwa wrote.
"Once discussions are concluded, the ministry will pronounce itself on the next course of action. Asante."
