NAIROBI, Kenya — Disk Jockeys (DJs) across Kenya will be required to pay an annual licence fee of KSh20,000 under a newly gazetted music tariff, marking a significant shift in how copyrighted music is commercially used in entertainment spaces.
The regulation applies to DJs performing at events, clubs and concerts, as well as institutions such as DJ academies, dance schools, music training centres, universities and colleges.
The move has triggered debate within the industry, with some DJs questioning the necessity and fairness of the licence requirement.
Music rights organisations argue that DJs engage in “public performance” whenever they play music in commercial settings, making licensing a legal requirement under the Copyright Act of Kenya.
Public performance is defined as the playing or broadcasting of copyrighted material, such as music or films, in a public space, whether directly or through electronic devices.
Richard Sireti, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), said DJs benefit commercially from music owned by others and should therefore ensure rights holders are compensated.
“Because (DJs) are the ones at the end of the commercial, they rely on marketing to get business. So that means they need to have a release letter from the performers to play their songs. Back in the days, it was very strict; if you ask the veteran DJs, the likes of DJ Pinye and DJ Andre, they used to reach out to right holders such as Sony Music to get consent to play their catalogues,” he explained.
Adding, “In such cases, certain rights would be cleared by right holders (e.g. Sony), because they control those rights, which are economic rights. However, they could not clear other rights because these remained with the original owner of the works.”
Despite the legal backing, some DJs have raised concerns about the cost and structure of the licensing framework, particularly for freelancers and small-scale operators.
Sireti dismissed resistance to the requirement, arguing that commercial use of intellectual property must attract compensation.
“Music can’t be free; the right holder of the Intellectual Property needs to be compensated. Why would you want to commercially exploit someone else’s Intellectual Property without feeling obligated to compensate them for their effort to produce the works?”
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Under the new framework, DJs will be required to obtain licences through authorised Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) regulated by the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO).
Currently, only two CMOs are licensed:
- Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP)
- Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK)
The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) is currently challenging KECOBO’s decision in court after being denied a licence, adding a layer of uncertainty to the implementation of the tariff.
The introduction of the DJ licence reflects a broader effort to strengthen intellectual property enforcement in Kenya’s growing creative industry.
Analysts say the move could improve revenue streams for artists, producers and rights holders, but warn that compliance costs and regulatory clarity will be key to avoiding friction with performers.
The development also mirrors global trends, where DJs and event organisers are required to secure licences for public performance, ensuring royalties flow back to creators.
