Musicians get Sh3M after landmark deal

By MondayBlues

Artistes signed with the music umbrella body Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) received Sh3 million last Thursday, only a day after endorsing a new constitution.

The cash, donated to their special social and welfare kitty, came from Liberty Afrika, a leading solutions provider making inroads in the mobile and wireless technology in Kenya.

The cheque was presented to MCSK by the Liberty Afrika CEO Sidney Wachira during a press conference held at the MCSK head office on Thursday.

On Tuesday last week, over 3,000 members who had attended the MCSK Annual General meeting in Nakuru endorsed a new constitution bringing to an end wrangles that had threatened to tear apart the 30-year-old society. The new constitution allows, among other benefits, members to run a social and welfare kitty with 10 per cent of the society’s monthly collection at their disposal. Also adopted was a rule that 70 per cent of the MCSK monthly collection should be pumped back to members as payment of royalties.

Members will be paid according to the usage of their artwork, an exercise, which will be done through a special music play digital monitoring device.

That basically means the more ones music is played, the more money received in royalties. Initially, a traditional block payment method was applied.

"We are glad that members unanimously endorsed the new constitution. It is a milestone, which gives them more powers to be in charge of their funds. With the new social and welfare kitty, it means members can get special allowances besides the money they get from royalties payments," said the MCSK interim chairman Michael Maganzo. "We appeal all stakeholders to come on board and support the new-look MCSK especially the members social fund," noted Wachira.

Janet Mbugua’s big pay debate

Unconfirmed reports that a leading TV anchor is making a fortune from her illustrious career has stirred a major debate in local blogs.

Word on the street has it that in her new Citizen TV news anchor, Janet Mbugua, is making close to a million shillings per month. Not that she does not deserve it!

According to bloggers, the debate is centred her hefty pay in relation to her colleagues whose pay is said to be far much less.

And since when did the world reward people equally?

Media guru scatters with Sh34M

An expatriate who had been key in restructuring and synergising operations of a media company is being sought by police after he allegedly disappeared with big cash belonging to his employer.

The married, social media guru who hobnobs with the high-and-mighty is said to have run away with about Sh34 million. According to our sources, the man left the country two months ago leaving his family behind.

The media guru is known for his lavish lifestyle; state-of-the-art whips, luxurious mansions and nightlife indulgence.