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CMOs feel undercut by the govt’ over the Sh100m kitty for creatives

Thursday, May 14th, 2020 02:19 | By
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed. Photo/PD/PHILIP KAMAKYA

Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) feel shortchanged by the government in the distribution of the Sh100-million kitty for musicians, actors and artistes.

The Sports, Culture and Heritage ministry launched the stimulus package on Monday, following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s executive order last month.He directed the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund to avail Sh100 million to cushion those in the creative sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, CMOs—comprising of Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), Kenya Association of Music Producers (Kamp) and Performers Rights Society of Kenya (Prisk), want Sports CS Amina Mohamed to backtrack her decisions to include them in the implementation of the ‘Work For Pay’ stimulus package.

“Our combined membership is about 20,000 composed of composers, authors, publishers, performers and producers of sound recordings and dramatic works. Accordingly, considering our mandate and membership, the CMOs are integral and have a fundamental role in facilitating the president’s programme herein, in liaison with the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage,” said MCSK chairman Lazarus Muli during a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The disgruntled CMOs accused the ministry of deliberately omitting them, saying that would likely result into a myriad of loopholes and subsequent challenges, which would hinder the success of the programme.

“After the announcement by the president, as CMOs we have been patiently waiting for further direction in regard to how and when we shall receive the funds. Unfortunately, however, up to this point, we have neither been informed of the progress nor consulted in the programme’s formulation,” added Muli.

Amina announced the funds would be distributed through a campaign dubbed ‘Together at Home’ that will be spearheaded by the Department of Culture, Kenya Cultural Centre, National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Film Commission and the Permanent Presidential Music Commission. 

            Prisk chairman Ephantus Kamau said: “We thank the president for his swift action and the immense support he has given the creatives. However, we are calling for the inclusion during this process.”

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