If you make music in Kenya, streams are only part of what you earn. Radio, TV and public performances also pay royalties, and they are collected by societies licensed by the Kenya Copyright Board. In 2026 the society to register with is PAVRISK, not MCSK. Here is what changed and how to register.
Quick answer
- Register your songs and recordings with PAVRISK (formerly PRiSK), licensed by KECOBO for songwriters, publishers, performers and producers.
- KAMP was also licensed for sound recording producers, but KECOBO suspended KAMP’s licence from 1 July 2026 (upheld by the Copyright Tribunal in August 2026) and has directed PAVRISK to collect for KAMP’s rights through eCitizen in the meantime.
- MCSK is not currently licensed: KECOBO refused its application in October 2025.
- Licences are renewed every year (the 2025–2026 ones started 5 November 2025, and KECOBO has invited applications for 2027), so check KECOBO’s latest list on copyright.go.ke.
What changed for Kenyan musicians
For years most Kenyan songwriters were told to join MCSK (Music Copyright Society of Kenya). That advice is now out of date. Every collective management organisation (CMO) needs a licence from the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), renewed each year, and MCSK no longer has one.
- June 2024: KECOBO licensed PRiSK, now called PAVRISK, for music and audiovisual rights.
- April 2025: KECOBO gave short, conditional provisional licences to KAMP, PAVRISK and MCSK.
- September–October 2025: KECOBO approved only PAVRISK and KAMP for one-year licences starting 5 November 2025, and rejected MCSK’s application, citing missing audited accounts and member records.
- December 2025 to February 2026: MCSK challenged the decision. Courts declined to suspend it and, according to reports, said MCSK cannot demand licence fees until it is properly licensed.
- July–August 2026: KECOBO suspended KAMP’s licence from 1 July 2026. The Copyright Tribunal upheld the suspension in August 2026, and KECOBO directed PAVRISK to collect royalties for KAMP’s rights through eCitizen until further notice.
- September–October 2026: KECOBO invited CMO licence applications for 2027 (notice dated 4 September 2026) and announced that copyright licences are paid through the e-Citizen platform (28 October 2026). The current licences started on 5 November 2025 and run for one year, so check KECOBO for the new list.
Licences run for a year, so always check KECOBO’s latest notice before you join or pay any society.
Which society should you join?
| You are | Join | What it collects |
|---|---|---|
| Songwriter, composer or lyricist | PAVRISK | Performance and broadcast royalties for your songs (radio, TV, public venues). |
| Music publisher | PAVRISK | Royalties for the songs you publish. |
| Recording artist or session performer | PAVRISK | Performers’ royalties when recordings are broadcast or played in public. |
| Owner of the master recording (artist-owned or label) | PAVRISK (KAMP’s licence is currently suspended) | Producers’ share for the sound recording. |
How to register your songs with PAVRISK
- Go to the official PAVRISK website (pavrisk.or.ke) and open the membership section for the current application form.
- Prepare your national ID or passport, phone number, email and the M-Pesa or bank details you want royalties paid to.
- List every song: title, all writers and their percentage splits, release date and the ISRC from your distributor.
- If you also own the recording, register it as a sound recording, not just as a song.
- Keep your membership number and update your catalogue every time you release.
Requirements can change, so follow PAVRISK’s own instructions if they differ from this list.
What your distributor collects and what PAVRISK collects
Your distributor (Interfine Music) collects money from streaming and download platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, YouTube Music and TikTok, and pays it to you by M-Pesa, bank, Payoneer or PayPal. PAVRISK collects from radio and TV stations, clubs, hotels, matatus, shops and other businesses that play music. To earn everything your music makes, you need both.
Tips so you don’t lose royalties
- Use exactly the same artist and writer names everywhere: your distributor, PAVRISK and YouTube.
- Agree splits with co-writers and producers in writing before release.
- Only pay licence fees or membership charges to a society on KECOBO’s current licensed list.
- Register songs before or right after release, so early radio plays are matched to you.
Sources: Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) notices, PAVRISK’s licensing page, KECOBO news notices of 4 September and 28 October 2026 (copyright.go.ke), HapaKenya (18 October 2025), Pulse Kenya (15 February 2026) and Downtown Music Publishing Africa (19 May 2026). Checked 2 November 2026.
Ready to release your music?
Interfine Music delivers your songs to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, TikTok and 200+ platforms for $12 a year. Pay by M-Pesa or card, and get support on WhatsApp.
Create your accountWhatsApp +254 791 393 533Frequently asked questions
Is MCSK still collecting music royalties in Kenya?
No. The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) refused MCSK’s licence application in October 2025, and courts have since said MCSK cannot demand licence or usage fees until it is properly licensed. Check KECOBO’s current list before you pay or join any society.
What is PAVRISK?
PAVRISK, formerly PRiSK, is a collective management organisation licensed by KECOBO. It says it represents authors, composers and arrangers, publishers, performers and producers of sound recordings, so it collects for both the song and the recording.
What does KAMP do?
KAMP (Kenya Association of Music Producers) represents sound recording producers, but KECOBO suspended KAMP’s licence from 1 July 2026 (upheld by the Copyright Tribunal in August 2026) and has directed PAVRISK to collect for KAMP’s rights through eCitizen in the meantime. If you own your masters, you can also be represented there.
Do I still need a distributor if I join PAVRISK?
Yes. Your distributor collects streaming and download money from Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music and other platforms. PAVRISK collects for radio, TV, clubs, matatus and other public use of your music. They are different income streams.
How do businesses pay for music licences in Kenya?
PAVRISK issues a Unified Copyright Licence (UCL). Its licensing page lists payment by M-Pesa paybill 4136329 (account: your invoice number), bank transfer or cheque, and an e-Citizen licensing option.
Can Interfine register my songs for me?
Yes. Interfine’s publishing administration registers your works with licensed societies such as PAVRISK and with societies abroad, and collects publishing royalties for you.
About the author
Anaya Zawadi is the Content Manager at Interfine Music, the Africa-first music distributor founded in Nairobi in 2024. She writes practical guides that help independent African artists release, protect and earn from their music.
