Nikita Kering champions global exposure and monetisation for Kenyan artists
Kenyan singer-songwriter Nikita Kering has continued to advocate for the rights and recognition of African artists on the global stage.
Taking to her official social media channels on Friday, June 6, 2025, Kering, who was one of the moderators at the U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum 2025 held in Nairobi, shared a photo of herself alongside Grammy’s President Panos Panay and disclosed that she addressed pressing issues facing creatives, such as unfair compensation and the need for global recognition.
You might also like
“Today, beside Grammy’s President Panos Panay, I discuss pathways for collaboration, monetisation and revenue for Kenyan artists,” she disclosed.
Nikita’s calls at AU forum
This comes after she advocated for better pay for Kenyan artists at the African Union.
In a statement shared via her X account on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, she revealed that she represented Kenyan artists at the African Union Headquarters, where she spoke on the challenges artists face when it comes to royalties and intellectual property rights.
According to the multitalented musician, artists deserve fair compensation and better protection of their work.
She explained that the issue lies in part with Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) and digital platforms, which have been widely criticised for offering poor returns to the very creators who fuel the music industry. She shared the significance of the moment on social media, saying it was an honour to speak out on behalf of her peers.
“Today, I represent Kenyan artists at the African Union HQ to address the unfair pay from CMOs and digital platforms—and to push for AU support in protecting our intellectual property. It is an honour,” she wrote.
Concerns about royalties
Kenyan musicians have for years raised concerns about how royalties are handled in the country. Many feel that the organisations meant to protect their rights and earnings, such as the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), have failed them.
In August 2019, rappers Khaligraph Jones and King Kaka came forward to reveal they had received only Ksh2,500 from MCSK after years of producing hit music. Khaligraph’s frustration boiled over online, where he vowed never to let the organisation collect royalties on his behalf again.
The issue persisted in 2022 when artistes Wangechi and Nikita Kering herself disclosed receiving just Ksh1,215.95 from the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK), a paltry sum that many saw as an insult given their contributions to the industry.
In April 2023, Bien Aime of Sauti Sol added his voice to the conversation, sarcastically noting that they had received Ksh14,634 in royalties. He questioned how such a low payout was possible for an artist who consistently ranks among Kenya’s top-streamed performers.
