Music users like broadcasters, pubs, hotels, restaurants, matatus, salons, shops and establishments where music is played in public all require  public performance licenses from a Collective Management Organisation (CMO). CMOs license music on behalf of their numerous music rights holders who include musicians, publishers, record labels & producers.

Collective management has failed in Kenya because of lack of a robust CMO legal framework that regulates the business of CMOs. The Kenya Copyright Act which consists of numerous uncoordinated patchwork amendments has failed to protect rights holders like musicians resulting in billions of loses in unpaid royalty. Collective Management is important since it enables artists to earn money from sources where the artist cannot  individually licence and monitor like Radio & Tv. 

In order to change the fortunes of our artists and the Kenya music sector we need a CMO law that will explicitly provide a progressive , innovative & transformative framework regulating the relationship between the state, rights holders and music users. We have a duty to protect and promote Kenyan culture. Any policy change in Kenya cannot succeed without public participation. We need your support.  www.themusicadvocate.africa/