KECOBO keeps KAMP licence frozen over Sh5.5m and board failures
Key points
- Kenya Copyright Board on 24 August 2026 upheld the suspension of KAMP Copyright and Related Rights Limited’s operating licence.
- Alleged misappropriation of Sh5.5 million meant for creatives has been referred to DCI.
- Chair and directors whose tenure breaches Section 46B of the Copyright Act must vacate at once; KAMP has 30 days to elect a proper board and 24 hours after that to file minutes and results with KECOBO.
- The CEO and named officers must step aside pending investigations. While the licence is down, PAVRISK collects those royalties into a separate account that will not be paid out until KECOBO directs.
“KAMP has not complied nor addressed the issues raised to the satisfaction of the Board.” Kenya Copyright Board used that line after a special sitting on 24 August 2026, Eastleigh Voice reported, and kept the operating licence of KAMP Copyright and Related Rights Limited on ice.
The money file is Sh5.5 million allegedly meant for creatives and now at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The governance file is Section 46B of the Copyright Act: chair and directors whose stay breaks that section must leave immediately. KAMP then has 30 days to run elections for a proper board, and 24 hours after the vote to send KECOBO the minutes, results and corporate papers. The current chief executive and other officers “allegedly involved” are told to step aside until investigations end. This followed the Copyright Tribunal on 17 August: it backed KECOBO’s power to supervise and investigate, but gave the regulator seven days to finish its action after KAMP challenged the first suspension. The 24 August meeting is that clock. During the freeze, the Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK) will collect royalties that would have gone through KAMP, in a designated account that “will not be distributed or used until further directions.” A frozen licence is not a conviction. DCI still has to open — or decline — a criminal file on the Sh5.5 million. Musicians should ask which account number PAVRISK is using, and whether their repertoire actually moved.
Royalties sit until someone names the account
PAVRISK’s segregated pot needs a bank name and a KECOBO circular. Thirty days for elections will slip if Section 46B seats are still occupied.
Communications desk: Communications. Verified 24 August uphold, Sh5.5m, Tribunal 17 August/seven days, 30-day elections and PAVRISK from Eastleigh Voice.
KECOBO should publish the board minutes extract. DCI should acknowledge the referral.
Members should keep logs of plays; do not assume a KAMP invoice is still valid.
Readers should cross-check any deadline, fee, court date or programme claim against primary gazettes, agency circulars and court records before acting on this report.
Official gazettes, court rulings and agency circulars may update these facts after publication; readers should verify any deadline, fee or court date against primary sources before acting.
Based on Eastleigh Voice reporting of KECOBO’s 24 August statement. The original suspension date was not restated in that account.
