Court Suspends Skiza Hello Tune Royalty Payments to Kenyan Artistes
Quote from Lawyer on May 13, 2025, 6:07 amA Kenyan court has temporarily halted royalty payments to artistes for the use of their music as Skiza hello tunes, pending the resolution of a legal dispute over the management of these funds. The decision, issued by Justice John Chigiti, follows a petition by the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), which challenged the distribution process handled by Safaricom, the country’s leading telecom provider.
The court’s ruling bars Safaricom from disbursing royalties to artistes through the current system until the case is fully heard and determined. MCSK argues that the existing framework violates provisions of the Copyright Act, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in how funds are allocated to musicians.
The suspension has sparked mixed reactions. Some artistes worry about the immediate financial impact, as Skiza tunes are a significant revenue stream for many in Kenya’s vibrant music industry. Others support MCSK’s push for a more equitable system, citing long-standing issues with royalty distribution.
Safaricom, which operates the Skiza platform, has not yet commented on the ruling but is expected to comply with the court’s directive as the legal process unfolds. The case is set for further hearings to address the complexities of copyright law and royalty management in the digital age.
This development underscores ongoing tensions between artistes, collective management organizations, and service providers in Kenya’s creative sector, with the outcome likely to shape the future of music royalty distribution in the country.
A Kenyan court has temporarily halted royalty payments to artistes for the use of their music as Skiza hello tunes, pending the resolution of a legal dispute over the management of these funds. The decision, issued by Justice John Chigiti, follows a petition by the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), which challenged the distribution process handled by Safaricom, the country’s leading telecom provider.
The court’s ruling bars Safaricom from disbursing royalties to artistes through the current system until the case is fully heard and determined. MCSK argues that the existing framework violates provisions of the Copyright Act, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in how funds are allocated to musicians.
The suspension has sparked mixed reactions. Some artistes worry about the immediate financial impact, as Skiza tunes are a significant revenue stream for many in Kenya’s vibrant music industry. Others support MCSK’s push for a more equitable system, citing long-standing issues with royalty distribution.
Safaricom, which operates the Skiza platform, has not yet commented on the ruling but is expected to comply with the court’s directive as the legal process unfolds. The case is set for further hearings to address the complexities of copyright law and royalty management in the digital age.
This development underscores ongoing tensions between artistes, collective management organizations, and service providers in Kenya’s creative sector, with the outcome likely to shape the future of music royalty distribution in the country.