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Kenya’s Secretary of the Youth Development, Ministry of Youths, Sports, and the Arts in Kenya, Ray Ochieng, has strongly criticized royalty payout organizations for paying Kenyan artists as little as 600 shillings.
Ochieng argues that artists deserve to be fairly compensated for their work and should receive their rightful share of earnings.
He expressed dissatisfaction with this practice during an online forum labeling it as both stupid and sad, particularly considering that many of these artists have their creations played on air throughout the country.
To address this issue, the Ministry on February 15 launched the Talanta Hela initiative to ensure that artists benefit from their work and receive appropriate remuneration that reflects their contributions.
The initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive governance framework within the industry, enabling artists to be fairly compensated for their artistic endeavors.
Ochieng emphasized the importance of acknowledging and valuing the significant contributions artists make to the cultural landscape of Kenya.
Unified Governance Structure
By implementing a unified governance structure, the Ministry aims to create a transparent and equitable system that gives artists the financial recognition they deserve.
The Secretary’s criticism sheds light on the disparities within the Kenyan arts industry, where artists often receive meager compensation despite their artistic creations reaching a broad audience.
Ochieng’s strong stance against the current royalty payout practices serves as a call to action for the government and the organizations responsible for distributing these funds.
The Talanta Hela initiative, spearheaded by the Youth Development Ministry, aims to instigate change within the industry and ensure that artists are fairly rewarded for their hard work and creativity.
With a standardized governance framework, the Ministry hopes to rectify the situation and create a more equitable system for artists to thrive.
Legal Setback
Talanta Hela has encountered various obstacles and challenges in its journey. One notable setback was its legal dispute, which led to its suspension by the high court.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, on Tuesday, May 23, suspended the Talanta Hela Council and its technical committees appointed for three years running from February 10, 2023, by the President, pending a hearing and final decision.
Additionally, the Technical Committee of Talanta Hela faced suspension by CS Ababu, adding to the confusion surrounding the initiative. Despite these setbacks, President Ruto proceeded to launch Talanta Hela, further muddying the waters.
The initiative’s implementation remains uncertain, leaving many questioning the path forward. However, the government has taken a step towards facilitating the process by developing an app designed to identify and nurture talent.
Through the application that is on the Google play store and App Store, Kenyans can create an account, select their talent category, and upload a video that shows their talents. The video will be reviewed in two stages, and if the reviewers are convinced that one has a talent, the person will be invited for trials at the National Sports and Creatives Academy.
However, with the Ministry’s commitment to addressing this issue, there is hope for a future where Kenyan artists receive recognition and financial compensation that genuinely reflects their contributions to the nation’s cultural heritage.
Five Percent Withholding Tax on Orange Economy
Parliament recently passed a controversial Finance Bill 2023 introducing a 5 percent withholding tax on the orange economy earnings. This move had initially aimed to hold 15 percent but had to be revised after intense creatives’ outcry.
President William Ruto is expected to assent the bill into law, which will take effect from 1st July 2023.
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