Ezekiel Mutua's promise to Kenyan musicians
By Edith. O. Virginia
Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua has made a pledge to journalists following his appointment to the role on Monday, March 28, 2022.
Taking to social media on Tuesday, March 29, Mutua promised to champion the interests of Kenyan musicians as he did for filmmakers while at the helm of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
"To all Kenyan musicians my message is simple: I will work for you and with you to make music profitable and meaningful. I will fight for you, defend your rights and put conversations about music at the front table like I did with film," Mutua promised.
[caption id="attachment_6929" align="alignnone" width="1320"]
File image of new MCSK boss Ezekiel Mutua. |Courtesy| KFCB|[/caption]
MCSK board chairman Lazarus Muli announced Mutua’s appointment on Monday. The board’s statement said the appointment was a result of a vigorous recruitment exercise.
Responding to his appointment, Ezekiel Mutua, whose tenure at the helm of KFCB earned his the name ‘moral cop’ said he was happy that he is back in the industry – this time around as a promoter and defender of musicians’ rights.
“I have received with profound gratitude my appointment to the position of Chief Executive officer of Music copyright society of Kenya. Happy to rejoin the creative industry this time not as a regulator but as a promoter and defender of the rights of musicians.
"I look forward to working with the board and relevant industry stahe holders to reinvigorate the music industry and make Kenyan music profitable through effective collection and distribution of royalties by fighting piracy and promoting Kenyan music," he said.
However, Mutua's appointment attracted mixed reactions from celebrities and members of the public alike. While a section congratulated and welcomed his appointment, others criticised the move.
Comedian Eric Omondi who has been at the forefront in the fight to have Kenyan music played dominantly in local channels, criticised the MCSK CEO's appointment.
Mutua and Omondi have clashed on a number of occasions in the past over content, with the latter accusing the former of stifling creativity in the country in the name of regulation.
“Hii Kenyan tunasonga steps mbili mbele ,Kumi nyuma. Wembe itakua in ule ule. Akileta unafiki tunafanya kama Will Smith," Omondi stated.
[caption id="attachment_13564" align="alignnone" width="972"]
File image of comedian Eric Omondi. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
Flamboyant city preacher, Reverend Natasha, on the other hand, congratulated Mutua on the appointment, claiming it is the right move.
“Congratulations Doc, your impact on this generation is undeniable. More grace in your new assignment," she said.
A section of Kenyans argued that there are many better placed Kenyans that would have done a better job at MCSK than Mutua.
“Why are you congratulating him, when we've many Kenyans who are better placed to lead the corporation but never got a chance. Ezekiel had his time and he should be home enjoying retiring benefits and leave the chance to other people," one tweep stated.
“Allow me to use the nickname "Deputy Jesus" kindly tell these radio stations to stop playing Sam Smith songs and play Kenyan music," another added.
The new MCSK boss was sacked as the KFCB boss in August 2021, a move he said was unlawful.
Ezekiel Mutua has also served on several boards of State Corporations in Kenya, among them, the Kenya Copyright Board, the Media Council of Kenya, the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, the Brand Kenya Board, and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
He was, until October last 2021 the Vice-President of South Africa-based African Content Regulation Harmonization Standard Setting Committee.
He holds a PhD in Communication Studies from Moi University, a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Nairobi, and a BA in Sociology and Linguistics from Kenyatta University according to MCSK.
File image of new MCSK boss Ezekiel Mutua. |Courtesy| KFCB|[/caption]
MCSK board chairman Lazarus Muli announced Mutua’s appointment on Monday. The board’s statement said the appointment was a result of a vigorous recruitment exercise.
Responding to his appointment, Ezekiel Mutua, whose tenure at the helm of KFCB earned his the name ‘moral cop’ said he was happy that he is back in the industry – this time around as a promoter and defender of musicians’ rights.
“I have received with profound gratitude my appointment to the position of Chief Executive officer of Music copyright society of Kenya. Happy to rejoin the creative industry this time not as a regulator but as a promoter and defender of the rights of musicians.
"I look forward to working with the board and relevant industry stahe holders to reinvigorate the music industry and make Kenyan music profitable through effective collection and distribution of royalties by fighting piracy and promoting Kenyan music," he said.
However, Mutua's appointment attracted mixed reactions from celebrities and members of the public alike. While a section congratulated and welcomed his appointment, others criticised the move.
Comedian Eric Omondi who has been at the forefront in the fight to have Kenyan music played dominantly in local channels, criticised the MCSK CEO's appointment.
Mutua and Omondi have clashed on a number of occasions in the past over content, with the latter accusing the former of stifling creativity in the country in the name of regulation.
“Hii Kenyan tunasonga steps mbili mbele ,Kumi nyuma. Wembe itakua in ule ule. Akileta unafiki tunafanya kama Will Smith," Omondi stated.
[caption id="attachment_13564" align="alignnone" width="972"] File image of comedian Eric Omondi. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
Flamboyant city preacher, Reverend Natasha, on the other hand, congratulated Mutua on the appointment, claiming it is the right move.
“Congratulations Doc, your impact on this generation is undeniable. More grace in your new assignment," she said.
A section of Kenyans argued that there are many better placed Kenyans that would have done a better job at MCSK than Mutua.
“Why are you congratulating him, when we've many Kenyans who are better placed to lead the corporation but never got a chance. Ezekiel had his time and he should be home enjoying retiring benefits and leave the chance to other people," one tweep stated.
“Allow me to use the nickname "Deputy Jesus" kindly tell these radio stations to stop playing Sam Smith songs and play Kenyan music," another added.
The new MCSK boss was sacked as the KFCB boss in August 2021, a move he said was unlawful.
Ezekiel Mutua has also served on several boards of State Corporations in Kenya, among them, the Kenya Copyright Board, the Media Council of Kenya, the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, the Brand Kenya Board, and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
He was, until October last 2021 the Vice-President of South Africa-based African Content Regulation Harmonization Standard Setting Committee.
He holds a PhD in Communication Studies from Moi University, a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Nairobi, and a BA in Sociology and Linguistics from Kenyatta University according to MCSK. What's Your Reaction?
