Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) is in the process of digitizing musical works of Kenyan artists to avoid irregular payment of royalties.
MCSK Auditor, Raphael Ndegwa noted with concern that some artists receive royalties in an illegal manner by bribing media personnel to insert their names in their log sheet returns to the body.
Speaking at the MCSK Regional meeting in Kisumu, Ndegwa said digitizing of musical works will provide efficient monitoring of the artists’ works by media houses, thus allowing for fair collection and distribution of royalties.
He added that the digitization of music will be monitored in real time to ensure that artists are not conned by media houses.
Ndegwa urged artists to update their works with the body so as not to be left out.
Meanwhile, MCSK National Vice Chairman who also doubles up as the Nyanza Regional Director, Tom Kodiyo divulged that plans are also underway to establish MCSK Foundation as an autonomous body.
He said the foundation which caters for the members’ welfare is currently run by the management of MCSK, but are aiming to have it run by an independent board of directors composed of various donors to the foundation.
Kodiyo called upon corporates to fund the foundation revealing that MCSK is currently contributing 10 percent of its total annual collections which he said is not enough.
The meeting also saw the election of Jim Likembe and Edward Matoke as Nyanza Regions Representatives in the MCSK Foundation and Budget Committee respectively.
MCSK is a body mandated to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of its members who include authors, composers, arrangers and publishers of musical works.
The meeting brought together members from Kisumu, Kisii, Bondo, Siaya, Nyando Migori, Nyamira, Gucha areas of Nyanza
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