KAMP CEO Maurice Mwande Okoth, chairperson Faith Kithele and vice-chairperson Anthony Musembi.
The Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) has acquired the operational licence allowing the body to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of music producers. The license extension was awarded on 4th of May by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) which will allow KAMP to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of music producers in the country for a period of one year. This is an extension from their previous license which ran for a shorter duration between January 2023 and expired in April.
The issuance of the operation license followed the completion of a forensic audit into royalty distribution and meeting all the set requirements by the board as had been recommended by Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
This was after the Cabinet Secretary met with officials of different CMOs earlier this year for a consultative meeting to forge the way forward.
KAMP can now get into licensing agreements with various music users, including radio and television stations, bars, and restaurants.
KECOBO's Chief Executive director Edward Sigei commended KAMP for the achievement urging the association to continue operating within the confines of the law and maintaining professional standards in their undertakings.
"KAMP has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and accountability in managing the royalties of music producers. This full-year license is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and we encourage them to continue upholding the same standards," Sigei said.
KAMP's CEO Maurice Okoth exuded optimism noting that smooth operations without hiccups will be an advantage for the livelihoods of creatives dependent on their talent. "When we have such compliance where we can operate with minimal hiccups, then the future for the music industry is even brighter," he noted.
The association's chairperson Faith Kithele echoed the sentiments saying that acquiring the licence is a significant step for the entire industry in Kenya.
"This full-year collective management license is a game-changer for us. It provides stability and certainty for our operations, which will allow us to better serve our members and ensure that they receive their rightful royalties," she said.
KAMP becomes the first collective Management Association in the country to have their license this year with the rest set to undergo a similar audit to validate their compliance.
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