The woes facing Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) Copyright and Related Rights Limited continue to deepen after the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) ordered the organization’s Board of Directors to suspend its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Maurice Okoth.
At the same time, the board, in its special board meeting held on 24th August 2026, resolved to dissolve KAMP’s Board of Directors and instructed them to vacate the office immediately.
“KAMP Board of Directors is directed to immediately suspend the current CEO and other officers involved pending the outcome of the investigations,” part of the public notice read.
In a public notice signed by KECOBO Chairman Joshua Kutuny, the board ordered KAMP to convene and conduct elections for the appointment of a properly constituted Board of Directors within thirty (30) days.
In June this year, KECOBO suspended KAMP’s operating license for a period of 90 days due to the alleged misappropriation and diversion of royalties meant for the creatives amounting to Shs. 5.5 million.
The regulator accused KAMP of failing to comply with the obligations arising from the consent signed in June last year between KAMP and Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) which was intended to harmonize licensing operations.
Dissatisfied by KECOBO’s decision, KAMP moved to the Copyright Tribunal and filed an appeal against KECOBO in the COPTA/E002/2026 case seeking the Tribunal’s intervention to over-turn the decision of the regulator that suspended its license, effective from 1st July 2026.
However, in its judgment delivered on 18th August 2026, the Tribunal upheld the decision of the regulator to suspend KAMP’s license.
The Tribunal observed that KECOBO had the mandate to supervise, inspect, and/or enquire over the allegations against KAMP, which culminated in the suspension.
To safeguard the interests of copyright holder’s rights, the Tribunal directed KECOBO to conclude the commenced regulatory administrative action and render a decision, either lifting the suspension or adopting any other or further regulatory action on or before the lapse of Seven (7) days from the date of the Tribunal’s ruling.
Following this, the Board mandated PAVRISK to collect royalties for and on behalf of the rights ordinarily represented by KAMP within the sectors allocated to KAMP under the applicable licensing framework.
It also directed that all funds collected in respect of such right shall be deposited into a separate designated bank account, maintained independently from PAVRISK’s operational and distributable funds.
Yesterday, the Board decided to dissolve KAMP’s board of directors, order for the suspension of the CEO and uphold the suspension of the license until the issues raised are addressed as directed by the Tribunal in its judgement.
Similarly, the board referred the Shs. 5.5 million case to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to commence investigation into the matter and institute appropriate action in accordance with the law.
In response, KAMP said it will pursue all appropriate legal remedies, continue engaging its members and stakeholders, and place the relevant facts and supporting records before the appropriate institutions for independent determination.
“We will not be intimidated into silence. We will defend our members, protect their rights, and stand for accountability and fairness in collective management”, KAMP said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
