President William Ruto has raised concern over exploitation in Kenya’s music industry following a meeting with Gengetone and Arbantone artists.
“I met Gengetone and Urbantone artists, who shared deeply troubling experiences regarding the loss of rights to their music due to questionable contracts with foreign entities,” Ruto said.
The Head of State termed the situation as a serious setback for young creatives, emphasizing the need to protect their work and livelihoods.
Over 700 Songs Lost
The President revealed the scale of the crisis, noting that hundreds of songs have been lost due to exploitative agreements.
“They have lost over 700 songs, including ‘Sipangwingwi’, the song by Exray that powered our conversations in 2022,” he stated.
The mention of Sipangwingwi by Exray highlights the magnitude of the issue, given the track’s cultural impact during its peak.
The president did not mince his words on the continued challenges facing artists in Kenya.
“It is regrettable that our young creatives continue to face exploitation despite their immense talent and contribution to our cultural identity,” he said.
His remarks reflect growing concern over how contractual loopholes and lack of legal awareness have left many artists vulnerable to losing ownership of their work.
The President assured affected artists of government backing as they seek justice.
“I have facilitated legal support to ensure they are adequately represented in court, and we have agreed on practical measures to safeguard their interests and ensure they receive fair reward for their work,” Ruto confirmed.
This intervention signals a more proactive approach by the government in defending intellectual property rights within the creative sector.
Fast-Tracking Creative Economy Bill 2026
In a move aimed at long-term reform, Ruto called for urgent legislative action.
“I have also asked the National Assembly, through the Majority Leader, to fast-track the Creative Economy Bill 2026 alongside critical copyright reforms,” he said.
“These measures are necessary to protect our artistes, strengthen intellectual property rights, and secure the future of Kenya’s creative economy.”
The President’s engagement with Gengetone artists marks a critical step toward reforming Kenya’s creative economy as stakeholders now look forward to a more secure and rewarding environment for artists across the country.
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