MCSK Board Strikes Back: Latest Public Rebuke of Ezekiel Mutua Signals Deeper Rift in Kenya’s Music Royalties Crisis

Dated January 12, 2026, this move escalates a saga marked by court battles, financial accusations, and factional infighting.

The board expressed alarm over Mutua’s alleged continued spread of misinformation, refusing to recognize his claims or actions on behalf of the society.

“MCSK Board of Directors kindly urges MCSK Members, Stakeholders, Partners and the public to remain vigilant and careful so as not to be misled or misrepresented to enter into commitments and or arrangement financial or otherwise with EZEKIEL Mutua Nyithya either as an employee and or representative of MCSK.”

Historical Context of MCSK Leadership Struggles

MCSK, tasked with collecting and distributing royalties to Kenyan musicians, has long been plagued by governance issues. Ezekiel Mutua assumed the CEO role after his controversial stint at the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), where he faced dismissal over financial mismanagement claims.

His tenure at MCSK began promisingly but quickly unraveled with disputes over royalty collections exceeding KSh 100 million annually, where artists received minimal payouts such as just KSh 10.5 million from KSh 109 million in 2023.

Factional clashes intensified in 2024 when a fake suspension notice circulated, prompting MCSK to defend Mutua initially, only for deeper rifts to emerge.

By early 2025, courts intervened multiple times, including vacating orders that briefly empowered rival boards and later confirming Mutua’s dismissal effective April 3, 2025.

These events highlight systemic failures in Kenya’s Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), mirroring issues at bodies like PRISK and PAVRISK.

Details of the January 2026 Public Notice

This details the board’s notice as a direct response to Mutua’s persistent public statements post-dismissal. The board labeled his activities as “continued public misinformation,” explicitly stating he holds no authority and urging stakeholders to disregard any dealings with him.

This echoes prior disavowals, including a May 2025 confirmation of his firing and demands for company property return. The notice arrives amid stalled royalty distributions, with artists like rapper Nonini previously decrying director embezzlement.

Mutua countered such claims by accusing critics of past financial irregularities at other societies, fueling a cycle of mudslinging. Legal precedents, such as the High Court’s dismissal of Mutua’s unauthorized filings, underscore the board’s position.

Broader Implications for Kenya’s Music Industry

This disownment amplifies concerns over MCSK’s operational paralysis, stalling payments critical for artists in genres from gengetone to benga.

Kenya’s creative economy, valued at billions, suffers as rival CMOs like PAVRISK take over collections, leading to invoicing disputes resolved only in court. Government oversight via the Attorney General has proven ineffective, with Business Registration Service applications adding to the chaos.

Artists face dire straits: delayed royalties exacerbate poverty despite streaming booms on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Industry voices call for legislative reforms to the Copyright Act, mandating transparent audits and artist-majority boards.

East African peers like Tanzania’s BASATA offer models with stricter accountability, potentially guiding Kenya.

Ezekiel Mutua’s appointment as CEO of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) occurred before 2024, following his controversial exit from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), where he faced financial mismanagement allegations.

This move initially sparked optimism among stakeholders but soon unraveled amid emerging scandals. In November 2024, a fake suspension notice targeting Mutua circulated widely online, prompting the MCSK board to publicly defend him at the time. This incident highlighted early factional tensions within the organization.

Courts intervened later that November 2024 when Justice Chigiti issued a ruling vacating prior orders, briefly empowering a rival board faction in the escalating power struggle. The board officially confirmed Mutua’s dismissal effective April 3, 2025, issuing demands for the return of company property amid mounting legal and financial disputes.

The latest development unfolded on January 12, 2026, with MCSK’s public notice explicitly disowning Mutua and flagging his post-dismissal activities as misinformation, marking a fresh escalation in the ongoing rift.

Artist Reactions and Public Backlash

Kenyan musicians express frustration across social media, with figures like Nonini renewing embezzlement accusations against entrenched directors. Posts on platforms like Facebook amplify confusion, mixing fake notices with real disputes, eroding trust in MCSK.

Mutua’s supporters, including some former allies, decry the board as “midnight coup” perpetrators, while critics hail the notice as overdue accountability. This saga intersects with national politics, given Mutua’s ties to influential figures and past Ruto administration roles.

Public discourse on X and TikTok demands an independent audit, with hashtags like #MCSKScandal trending in Nairobi’s creative hubs.

Courts have repeatedly ruled against Mutua’s authority, as in the 2025 Employment and Labour Relations Court case deeming him a “former CEO.”

Financial probes reveal KSh 56 million unaccounted for in 2023, prompting account closures and transfers to PAVRISK. Potential lawsuits loom for stakeholders engaging Mutua post-notice, risking unenforceable contracts.

Reforms could include digital royalty platforms for real-time tracking, inspired by global models like ASCAP. Until resolved, Kenya’s music sector employing thousands remains hamstrung, stifling talents amid a growing Afrobeats wave.

Resolution hinges on fresh elections and audits, as urged by the 2026 notice. Artists should engage the Music Publishers Association for interim protections while pushing for CMO consolidation.

Policymakers must prioritize the Creative Economy Bill to prevent repeats.This “fresh twist,” underscores the need for ethical leadership in Kenya’s cultural institutions. With President Trump’s reelection influencing global trade, local reforms could boost music exports, turning crisis into opportunity.