Leadership feuds, financial fraud allegations and rival threats rock MCSK

The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) finds itself at the center of a devastating crisis that threatens to undermine the entire Kenyan music ecosystem. And it is not the first time the giant artists society is facing leadership and financial scandals challenges. This has been its undoing over the years.

What began as internal disputes has escalated into a full-blown institutional meltdown involving leadership feuds, allegations of massive financial fraud, and the emergence of a formidable rival threatening MCSK's royalty collection.

The society’s leadership is fractured, with two factions vying for control. CEO Ezekiel Mutua faced attempts to remove him, including a controversial compulsory leave.

In one newspaper Public Notice, published in a local daily signed off as the MCSK 'Board of Directors', notified the public that Mutua was no longer the society's CEO, claiming that he ceased being an employee effective 3rd May 2025.

The notice went on to caution members of the public from engaging with Mutua, adding that the supposed former CEO had, after his exit, refused to surrender several items belonging to the company.

Couple of hours later, another notice surfaced in support of Mutua. The notice claimed that Mutua was still the bona fide MCSK CEO and that the previous notice was not just "false and malicious" but that it was also pushed by former directors whose terms ended on February 16, 2025.

It read in part: "We wish to clarify unequivocally that these allegations are entirely baseless. Dr. Ezekiel Mutua remains the legitimate CEO of MCSK. The individuals behind this notice are former directors whose terms ended on 16th February 2025 and who have no authority to speak or act on behalf of the Society."

This showed the brewing split between the two factions.

Ephantus Wahome Kamau, Chairman of the Board and Nairobi Region Director, defends Mutua’s position, stating, “MCSK has a substantive CEO. Dr Ezekiel Mutua has a valid contract of service. The new board respects that as guided by the Employment Act, Copyright Act, and the internal HR policies of MCSK.”

He attributes the leadership dispute to the former board’s overstay, explaining, “The former board’s refusal to call for elections and overstay is the reason we have a dispute. The former board has overstayed more than the mandated tenure of six years.”

Allegations of financial mismanagement have intensified the crisis raising suspicions of fraud.

Wahome alleges significant misconduct by some former board, “Over Sh10 million was withdrawn in a fraudulent manner from NCBA Westlands Branch. The monies, withdrawn at night, were deposited into some former directors’ personal accounts. The matter was reported to the Banking Fraud Unit, and investigations are ongoing. The (said) former chair, cannot account for all MCSK collections, and soon we shall expose how money was withdrawn and transacted through some city lawyers.”

Legal interventions have compounded MCSK’s challenges. The competition between MCSK and PAVRISK has moved beyond market dynamics into the courtroom.

In March 2025, a Nairobi court dealt a severe blow to MCSK by freezing both its bank account and PayBill number following legal action by PAVRISK. This unprecedented move has effectively hamstrung MCSK's operations and sent a clear signal about the seriousness of the challenge it faces.

Barely a month later MCSK issued a public warning about fraudulent notices claiming unauthorised license issuance, asserting its 2025 Kecobo license is still under process.

Despite the legal setbacks, Wahome remains dismissive of PAVRISK's threat, employing colourful language to minimise his organization's competitor.

"PAVRISK is just a baby CMO, and there's no comparison with a mother CMO," he says.

"Copyright must be respected, and besides, we have deeds of assignments which authorise us to collect on behalf of our members."

He further emphasised efforts to restore accountability, stating, “As a good governance practitioner, we are encouraging separation of powers, where the board sets policy and management implements. We have secured a transparent collections system that is user-friendly with timely reports. The board will conduct a forensic audit to unearth all misappropriation of royalties. We have also reduced expenditures to achieve the 70/30 distribution rule.”