Kenya has rolled out new music licensing tariffs that will require DJs, entertainment venues, broadcasters and a wide range of businesses to pay for the commercial use of music, in a move set to reshape the country’s creative economy.
The new framework, introduced by the Kenya Copyright Board, falls under the Copyright (Consolidated Music and Audio-Visual Works Tariffs) 2026, a legally binding structure designed to streamline royalty collection and ensure artists are compensated for the use of their work.
DJs to pay annual license fees
Under the new tariffs, DJs are among the most directly affected groups.
They will be required to obtain a license to legally play music in public or commercial settings, with fees structured as: Sh 30,000 annually for mobile DJs, or Sh 1,000 per event as an alternative
This effectively formalises DJs as commercial users of copyrighted content, bringing their operations under stricter regulatory oversight.
Failure to comply could expose DJs to penalties under the Copyright Act, including fines or legal action.
A legal framework, not a proposal
Unlike previous discussions around royalty reforms, the new tariffs are not proposals but are already in force.
They were introduced through a gazetted legal notice under existing copyright law, meaning compliance is now mandatory for individuals and businesses using music commercially.
The move signals a firmer stance by regulators in enforcing intellectual property rights across Kenya’s entertainment and business sectors.
Beyond DJs: wide-reaching impact
While DJs have drawn significant attention, the tariffs apply broadly across industries that use music to generate revenue or enhance customer experience.
Key sectors affected include:
Hospitality and nightlife
- Nightclubs
- Bars and lounges
- Hotels and restaurants
Media and broadcasting
- Radio stations
- Television networks
- Digital streaming platforms
Commercial spaces
- Retail shops and supermarkets
- Shopping malls
- Salons and gyms
Events and entertainment
- Concert promoters
- Event organisers
- Festival planners
Public transport
- Matatus and buses playing music
In all these cases, the use of music (even as background audio) is classified as public performance, which requires licensing.
Push to streamline royalty collection
The introduction of consolidated tariffs is part of a broader effort by KECOBO to reform how royalties are collected and distributed in Kenya.
Previously, multiple Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) handled different rights, often leading to confusion, duplication, and disputes among stakeholders.
Under the new system, licensing is expected to be more centralised and structured, payments will cover rights for artists, producers, and performers collectively and users will deal with a clearer, unified framework
The aim is to close loopholes that have historically allowed businesses to use music without compensating creators.
Penalties and compliance rules
The tariffs also introduce stricter enforcement measures aimed at improving compliance.
Payments must be made within a set period after invoicing, late payments attract monthly penalties, operating without a valid license could result in fines of up to hundreds of thousands of shillings or possible imprisonment under copyright law
