The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has declined to renew the operating license of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), citing unresolved leadership disputes that have crippled the organization’s operations.

In a statement dated June 16, 2025, KECOBO Chair Joshua Kutuny said the decision to deny a six-month provisional license was driven by internal wrangles that have created rival factions within MCSK's board, paralyzing its ability to function.

As a result, MCSK has been stripped of its status as a Collective Management Organization (CMO), meaning it can no longer collect or distribute royalties on behalf of artists.

Meanwhile, KECOBO has renewed licenses for two other CMOs — the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) and the Kenya Association of Music Producers Copyright and Related Rights Limited (KAMP) — authorizing them to operate under the Unified Copyright License system. This marks the third consecutive license for PAVRISK.

Kutuny stated that under Section 46(2) of the Copyright Act, 2001, only PAVRISK and KAMP currently hold valid licenses to collect and manage royalties for musicians and audio-visual content creators.

To streamline royalty collection and improve transparency, both KAMP and PAVRISK will be required to use an integrated ICT system, as outlined in a formal consent agreement signed between the two organizations.

KECOBO stressed that all valid invoices and licenses must clearly indicate whether they were issued by KAMP or PAVRISK and must be accompanied by a valid KRA e-TIMS certificate. This is to prevent cases of double billing and reduce fraudulent invoicing.

The board raised concern over the rising number of fake Unified Copyright Licenses and invoices being issued by unauthorized individuals using names similar to MCSK or combinations with licensed CMOs. KECOBO warned that these acts are criminal offenses.

It is illegal, KECOBO said, for any person or entity to issue royalty invoices or licenses using unauthorized names such as MCSK, KAMP-MCSK, PAVRISK-MCSK, or KAMP-PAVRISK-MCSK.

The board reminded users that Section 46(12) of the Copyright Act prohibits royalty collection without a valid KECOBO license.

Music and audio-visual content users were urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or organizations attempting to issue fake licenses or invoices to KECOBO or the relevant authorities.

As part of their joint licensing arrangement, PAVRISK and KAMP signed a consent agreement clearly outlining their areas of operation.

Under the agreement, KAMP will handle licensing and royalty collection for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) such as matatus, taxis, and commercial vehicles, as well as digital and new media platforms.

PAVRISK will be responsible for licensing general commercial and public use — including bars, restaurants, hotels, malls, shops, arcades, banks, hospitals, schools, DJs, roadshows, and broadcast media such as radio and TV.

The agreement was formally signed by PAVRISK Chair Edwardo Waigwa and CEO Joseph Njagih, and KAMP Chair Angela Ndambuki and CEO Maurice Okoth, under the supervision of KECOBO Acting Executive Director George Nyakweba.