Kenyan Musicians Fight for Fair Pay in Meeting with Government

Kenyan Musicians Demand Fair Treatment, Transparency in Royalties Collection Nairobi, Kenya – In a recent meeting between Kenyan musicians and government officials, artists voiced serious concerns about low pay and the inefficiencies in the royalty collection system. The meeting, which took place on May 29, 2025, highlighted the struggles faced by many musicians in the country. One musician, whose name was withheld, stated, "We are not getting the money we deserve. The system is broken, and we need the government to help us fix it." The video shows the meeting and the musicians' pleas for help. The musicians' main complaint centers on the slow and opaque process of receiving royalties from music usage. They cited examples where payments were significantly delayed or not received at all, despite their music being widely played in various venues and on digital platforms. They argued that this lack of transparency and efficient payment mechanisms was hindering their ability to make a living and invest in their careers. The government officials acknowledged the problems and pledged to investigate the issues and work towards a solution. The meeting underscores the need for a more efficient and transparent system for collecting and distributing royalties to Kenyan musicians. The government's commitment to address these concerns offers a glimmer of hope for the future of the Kenyan music industry, potentially leading to improved working conditions and fairer compensation for artists.