Artists face royalty payment delays after music copyright body is suspended
By William Muthama, July 14, 2026Musicians and producers represented by Kenya Association Of Music Producers (KAMP) and Related Rights Limited are likely to experience delays in receiving royalty payments after the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) suspended the organisation’s operating licence for 90 days.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, KECOBO said the suspension took effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, following a resolution by its Board of Directors.
KAMP is one of Kenya’s Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), mandated to collect and distribute royalties on behalf of performers and rights holders.
Licence suspended
KECOBO said the suspension was made under powers granted to it by the Copyright Act, adding that KAMP’s licence would remain suspended for 90 days.
“In exercise of its statutory powers, KECOBO Board of Directors resolved to suspend the operating licence issued to KAMP Copyright and Related Rights Limited (KAMP) for a period of Ninety (90) Days, effective 1st July 2026,” the notice read.
To ensure royalty collection continues during the suspension, Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) will collect royalties that would ordinarily have been handled by KAMP.
Funds held in trust
The board directed that all royalties collected by Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) on behalf of KAMP members be deposited into a separate designated bank account.
“All monies collected in respect of such right shall be deposited into a separate designated bank account, maintained independently from PAVRISK’s operational and distributable funds,” KECOBO said.
It added that the money would remain untouched until further notice.
“The monies so collected shall be held in trust and shall not be distributed, transferred, applied or otherwise utilised for any purpose unless and until KECOBO issues further written directions regarding their management and distribution.”
As a result, artists and other rights holders represented by KAMP are expected to wait longer before receiving royalties collected during the suspension period.
Protecting creators
According to KECOBO, the temporary arrangement is intended to safeguard the interests of rights holders while ensuring royalty collection continues uninterrupted during the suspension.
The board said PAVRISK will continue collecting royalties on behalf of KAMP throughout the 90 days, with all funds preserved until further directions are issued on their management and eventual distribution.