The Kenya Copyright Board has issued an advisory to musicians who seek to gain from the increased political activities and rallies due to the upcoming 2022 General Election.
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Gov't issues advisory to musicians taking part in 2022 political campaigns
Important notice
Ben Githae
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In a statement released on Monday, November 8 Kecobo urged artists to be wise as they engage in political campaigns.
During this period aspirants for political office will be seeking to leverage the medium of music as an effective tool of political mobilizations.
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As such, they have or will be commissioning campaign songs or engaging musicians to perform at their rallies.
From previous experience, at the end of the campaign, many musicians remain frustrated and unpaid.
Some musicians lose completely as they cannot sue since there is no evidence of a contractual relationship with their principals, most of whom retreat from the public after the campaigns.
Kecobo takes this early opportunity to advise musicians as follows :
a. That musician should negotiate the terms of their services preferably with lawyers in all cases to ensure that they enter written contracts with the politicians.
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b. Insist on cash before delivery of commissioned songs or even payment of a sizeable deposit before the production of commissioned work.
c. Avoid the sharing of the commissioned recordings over social media platforms for any reason before payment is made; and
d. Ensure they receive full payment before any live performance.
Some of the musicians who have made successful engagements with politicians include Ben Githae, Gidi, Gidi Maji Maji.
Ben Githae was paid a lot of money by President Uhuru Kenyatta after he sang the Tano Tena song that began his signatue campaign song.
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Gidi Gidi and Maji Maji were instrumental during retired President Mwai Kibaki after they were hired to perform Unbwogable across the country.
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