MCSK Statement on Retaining Authority to Collect Royalties

The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) hereby informs its members, music users, industry stakeholders, and the general public that the High Court of Kenya, has extended and confirmed orders permitting MCSK to continue operating and collecting royalties on behalf of its more than 16,000 members. These orders remain in force pending the full determination of the substantive legal and regulatory issues before the Court. The intervention by the judiciary is intended to protect musicians and rights holders from economic hardship that would otherwise arise from interruptions in royalty collection occasioned by ongoing regulatory processes.

Consequently, and notwithstanding the decision by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) declining to issue MCSK with a license, the Court has preserved MCSK’s operational mandate. By virtue of these orders, MCSK remains lawfully authorized to continue licensing users and collecting royalties until further directions are issued by the Court. The public is therefore advised that MCSK is currently the only entity permitted to issue music licenses and administer royalty collections in Kenya under the prevailing legal framework. This is after the operational Licenses for KAMP and PAVRISK expired on 4th November, 2025.

For the avoidance of doubt, further, MCSK wishes to clarify that KAMP and PAVRISK presently have no authority to license users or collect royalties in respect of musical works. Any demands, representations, or collections by unauthorized entities should be treated with caution and promptly reported to the relevant authorities or to MCSK for verification.

All licensing and royalty collection activities by MCSK shall continue to be conducted strictly in accordance with the Consolidated Tariff of the year 2020, which remains applicable pending the gazettement of new rates by the competent authorities. In line with this framework and established practice, MCSK shall continue issuing Joint Licenses to all users of music, as required under the Copyright Act and the applicable regulations.

The public is further advised that all royalty payments must be made exclusively through the official MCSK payment channels. Payments should only be remitted to the designated MCSK bank account or through the officially approved PayBill numbers

Any payments made outside these authorized channels shall be at the payer’s own risk, and MCSK shall not be responsible for losses arising therefrom.

To ensure transparency and facilitate compliance, MCSK has established official enquiry channels through which members of the public may seek clarification, verification, or further information regarding licensing, payments, and the effect of the court orders. Enquiries may be directed to the Society through its official hotline and email contacts, as duly published by MCSK as follows;

Hotline number: 0700635806/0719743812

Email address: music@mcsk.africa

MCSK reaffirms its commitment to lawful administration, accountability, and the protection of the rights and welfare of Kenyan creators. The Society will continue to keep stakeholders informed as the legal and regulatory processes progress, while remaining steadfast in its mandate to safeguard the livelihoods of artists and rights holders across the country.