KECOBO begins implementing Ruto’s directive on copyright reforms
By Aloys Michael, August 20, 2025President William Ruto’s directive for a rapid overhaul of Kenya’s copyright system is already in motion, with the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) confirming it has begun implementing a new digital royalties platform through the eCitizen portal.
Issued just days ago, the President’s directive called for urgent reforms in the creative sector, with a focus on ending long-standing inefficiencies and ensuring fair compensation for artists.
In a public notice released on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, signed by Board Chairman Joshua Kutuny, KECOBO affirmed its commitment to act decisively in response to the Head of State’s orders.
“The President, His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H, has directed the Kenya Copyright Board to take decisive action and streamline the copyright and creative arts sector,” the statement read.
Central to the reforms is the rollout of a digital royalty collection system aimed at eliminating leakages, boosting transparency, and ensuring that artists receive their rightful earnings.
As part of the directive, KECOBO is enforcing the rule that at least 70 per cent of all royalties collected by Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) must go directly to artists. KECOBO has warned that non-compliant CMOs risk having their licenses revoked.
In addition to the digital transition, KECOBO is working with the Kenya Law Reform Commission and the Office of the Attorney General to overhaul the Copyright Act.
The board is also actively engaging the Parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture to align these reforms with the Copyright Amendment Bill currently under review. The goal, KECOBO says, is to ensure that creatives can fully benefit from their work within a robust and enforceable legal framework.
“To support this major shift, KECOBO has enlisted the cooperation of key players across the digital and telecommunications space, including the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, Safaricom, the eCitizen Directorate, the ICT Authority, and the Communications Authority. These partnerships are expected to enhance the regulation of the sector and help enforce the digital royalty system efficiently,” the board said.
KECOBO also addressed the delays that had previously stalled reform efforts, attributing them largely to pending court cases. With many of those cases now concluded, the board said it is moving swiftly to implement long-overdue changes, including the enforcement of court decisions related to ringback tune revenues under Section 30C of the Copyright Act.
“This will ensure that copyright holders receive their fair share of income generated from such digital products,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its commitment to legality and transparency, KECOBO pledged to uphold all procedures and regulations as it carries out the President’s directive. The board also expressed gratitude to President Ruto for his direct support in reforming the sector, which has long been plagued by mismanagement and lack of accountability.
“The Board wishes to thank H.E. the President for committing to give KECOBO maximum support in its mission to reform the sector,” it asserted.