NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has suspended the operating licence of the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) for 90 days over alleged royalty mismanagement, governance failures and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
The suspension took effect on July 1, 2026, following what KECOBO described as a comprehensive regulatory review of KAMP’s governance, financial management, licensing practices and compliance with the Copyright Act, 2001 (Revised 2022).
The decision temporarily bars KAMP from undertaking activities reserved for licensed Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), including royalty collection and licensing.
Governance and Royalty Concerns
In a notice signed by KECOBO Board Chairman Joshua Kutuny, the regulator said KAMP had failed to comply with obligations arising from a consent agreement signed in June 2025 between KAMP and the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK).
According to KECOBO, the agreement was intended to harmonise licensing operations among copyright management organisations.
“Despite being afforded sufficient opportunity to comply, KAMP has neither implemented nor demonstrated meaningful compliance with the undertakings contained in the consent,” Kutuny said.
The regulator further alleged that KAMP spent Sh5.5 million in distributable royalties on non-core activities, contrary to statutory obligations governing licensed CMOs.
KECOBO also accused the organisation of failing to comply with the mandatory 70:30 royalty distribution principle, resulting in the retention and expenditure of royalties that should have been distributed to rights holders.
“The board further established that KAMP failed to comply with the 70:30 mandatory royalty distribution principle, resulting in unjustifiable retention and expenditure of distributable royalties to the detriment of the rights holders whom KAMP is licensed to represent,” the notice stated.
Licence Activities Suspended
During the suspension period, KECOBO directed KAMP to immediately cease all activities requiring a CMO licence under the Copyright Act.
These include:
- Licensing copyrighted works.
- Collection of royalties.
- Tariff negotiations.
- Issuing licences and invoices.
- Demanding or collecting licence fees.
- Negotiating licensing agreements.
- Performing any other licensing functions reserved for licensed CMOs.
The regulator also instructed KAMP to submit a comprehensive compliance report and action plan outlining how it intends to address governance, financial, operational and regulatory shortcomings identified during the review.
PAVRISK to Collect Royalties
To safeguard the interests of copyright holders during the suspension, KECOBO appointed PAVRISK to collect royalties on behalf of rights ordinarily represented by KAMP within the sectors allocated to the association.
However, the regulator directed that all royalties collected during the suspension be held in trust.
Kutuny said the funds must not be distributed, transferred or utilised until KECOBO issues further directions on their management and eventual disbursement.