Finally, The Music Industry Gets Organized

The local music industry can finally boast a structured common front and an official voice of the industry addressing a myriad of issues across the industry.

This is thanks to the formation of the Music Industry Association of Kenya (MIAKE) by the musicians themselves, to foster promote and serve the best interests of Kenyan Music Industry. The mammoth body spans across the industry incorporating everyone involved in the local industry including authors and composers, performers (DJs, Artists and Dancers), publishers, producers and videographers, individual members of KAMP/PRSK/MCSK amongst others.

The body has an interim board. At the helm of the body as Chairperson is Arthur K, (Arthur Kamau), Suzanne Gachukia as the Vice Chairperson, Daddy Owen as Treasurer and Rkay (Robert Kamanzi) as the Secretary. Other officials include:

•             Amileena Mwenesi – Deputy Secretary

•             Bernard Kioko – Organizing Secretary

•             Hubert Nakitare (Nonini) – Deputy Organizing Secretary

•             Cecilia Amani – Deputy Treasurer

•             Emmy Kosgei – Board Member

•             Ben Githae – Board Member

•             DJ Pinye – Board Member

•             Ken wa Maria – Board Member

•             DJ Krowbar  – Board Member

•             Suzzana Owiyo – Board Member

The body also has standing commitees listed below with their members;

•             Operatios & Admin – Chris Adwar,  Clemo (Calif Records), Sarah Kay ,Musyoka (Decimal Records), Amileena,.

•             Finance  – Ken wa Maria, Amani, Suzzane Gachukia, Jaquar, Emmy Kosgei

•             Recruitment & Artist Relations – Nonini, Ben Githae, Refigah (Grand Pa) , Frasha, Size 8.

•             Programmes & Marketing –Esther Wahome, Suzanna Owiyo, Wahu, Bernard (Bernsoft), Francis (Ogopa Deejays)

•             Official Spokesperson  – R Kay

•             Government Liaison – Suzanne Gachukia

You can apply for membership by visiting the association membership www.miakenya.com and click Membership

It is left to be seen the extent MIAKE will go to realize its objectives all aiming at creating a mutual understanding amongst members and improving their welfare.

We understand that the association has taken a stand to support the three licensed royalty collection bodies (MCSK, KAMP, PRISK) while at the same time demanding accountability from them. We are also meant to understand that discussions are already taking place with Kenya Copyright Board to see that all three royalty collection bodies work in harmony in collecting revenue and distributing it to every artist. This would create a much needed oversight body that can be able to resolve issues with MCSK (and the others) on behalf of members.

“The key to resolving music industry issues is to deal with them in a professional way. The issues are more than royalties and span across the entire industry.” Says the Chairman of the association.