Kenyan artists are set to earn better royalties following a landmark partnership between the Pubs, Entertainment, and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) and the Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK).
The partnership is expected to streamline royalty collections and ensure musicians, performers, and actors are paid every time their work is used publicly.
“We are here to ensure artists are paid fairly every time their music is played,” said Edwardo Waigwa Kimani, the chair of PAVRISK. “This has been long overdue, but now we are moving forward with a clear, legal and structured process.”
PAVRISK, one of only two licensed Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in Kenya, is mandated to collect royalties from general business establishments and broadcasters. To support this work, PAVRISK will now work hand-in-hand with PERAK, which represents entertainment venues like pubs, bars and restaurants.
“Instead of sending our officers directly to each business, we have partnered with PERAK. They know their members well and will ease the collection process,” said Waigwa.
PERAK national chair Michael Kiragu said the move marked a new beginning for both parties.
“For too long, we’ve met in courtrooms instead of boardrooms,” he said. “This agreement guarantees fair payments to artists and protects business owners from harassment and confusion.”He added that 70 percent of all collections will now go directly to musicians.
“We are tired of stories where musicians get cheques worth eight shillings. That ends now. Our youth deserve better,” Kiragu added.
To curb fraud, business owners have been asked to only pay via the official code *553#. PAVRISK officers will wear badges with scannable QR codes and carry identification cards.
“There is no such thing as a Kamp PRISK MCSK license,” Waigwa warned. “The only valid license is issued by PAVRISK.”
Kiragu also addressed recent concerns over artists being restricted from promoting alcohol.
“There is no law or executive order banning that. Nacada cannot just make rules without legal backing. What we need is better enforcement of existing laws, not more regulations,” he said.
Both organizations expressed confidence that the new system will improve compliance and restore confidence in Kenya’s royalty system.
“This partnership is about fairness, transparency and sustainability,” said Waigwa. “Let’s build a creative industry that rewards talent.”
