MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua Responds to Propaganda and Leadership Challenges
In a recent statement, Ezekiel Mutua, the Chief Executive Officer of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), addressed rumors circulating on social media about his alleged dismissal or suspension. Mutua, who has been at the forefront of reviving MCSK and advocating for artists’ rights, expressed his dismay at the malicious propaganda being spread despite clarifications from the organization’s chairman.
Mutua, who had a jam-packed weekend serving the nation, including delivering a keynote speech at the Youth in Africa Conference in Goma, DRC, and attending various prestigious events in Kenya, was shocked to find that false claims about his status at MCSK had gone viral. He emphasized that he remains firmly in office and that the rumors of his dismissal are completely untrue. “I am in office and I have neither been sacked nor suspended,” he stated, urging those behind the claims to visit MCSK’s office for a proper interview.
The MCSK CEO clarified that the ongoing leadership wrangles only concern the non-executive directors, not the executive team, including himself. While elections at MCSK have been overdue, the CEO made it clear that he was committed to resolving the issue. He recounted how attempts to conduct elections had been disrupted by one of the individuals now making false claims. The individual, Mutua revealed, went to court and, while waiting for the case to be resolved, managed to submit fraudulent documentation to the Registrar, claiming to have conducted an election and even adding deceased individuals to the list of attendees. This, he said, was a serious violation of governance standards.
Mutua pointed out that as the CEO, he is responsible for ensuring that MCSK’s operations comply with the law, and that he had to take action to prevent the illegal group from taking over the organization. “When four dead people are said to have attended a meeting to constitute a quorum, hiyo ni ukora na upuuzi,” he remarked, stressing the gravity of the situation.
Regarding the financial state of MCSK, Mutua provided an overview of the progress made since his appointment. When he joined MCSK two years ago, the organization was grappling with debts totaling Ksh400 million and was technically insolvent. Under his leadership, debts have been reduced to less than Ksh30 million, and MCSK is now on a path to profitability. Mutua’s team has also worked hard to clear legal fees, staff salaries, and pay royalties to musicians, something that had been neglected for years.
One of the key achievements during his tenure was the public distribution of royalties earlier this year, which was attended by over 400 musicians and broadcast live on TV. He also highlighted the role of technology in streamlining operations and ensuring transparency, with no cash transactions involved in licensing.
However, Mutua identified the Blank Tape Levy, a policy he worked tirelessly to implement, as a major point of contention. The levy, which has raised over Ksh300 million, is intended to support musicians. Unfortunately, Mutua revealed that certain cartels have attempted to divert the funds for their own benefit, proposing fraudulent share ratios that would allocate 70% of the money to illegal groups. Mutua stated that he has rejected these fraudulent proposals, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring the funds are used appropriately to benefit the artists.
In conclusion, Mutua reiterated that MCSK’s goal is to follow the law and ensure the society has credible leadership with a mandate from its members. He praised the success of musicians in Kenya, noting that many are now earning substantial amounts from public performances, content monetization, and brand endorsements. He reaffirmed his determination to fight for the interests of artists and eliminate the influence of cartels that have long held the industry back.
As he concluded, Mutua made it clear that the ongoing propaganda against him would not deter him from his mission. He has instructed his lawyers to take appropriate action against those spreading the false claims, emphasizing that the fight for a fair and transparent music industry in Kenya will continue.
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