The Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) has officially implemented the Consolidated Music and Audio-Visual Works Tariffs for 2026–2028. This framework consolidates royalty collections for authors, producers, performers, and actors into a single licensing fee.
Among those netted with the new regulations are DJs, who will require to pay an annual license fee of Ksh. 30,000 while DJ Academies will be required to pay Ksh. 20,000. Beyond the rates for DJs and academies, the new regulations encompass a wide range of commercial sectors:
1. Broadcasting & media
- Mobile DJs: Ksh 30,000 annually (or Ksh 1,000 per event).
- National Radio & TV: 4% of net revenue, with minimums of Ksh 500,000 for radio and Ksh 400,000 for television.
2. Hospitality & entertainment
- Night Clubs & Casinos: Charged at 60% of the Single Business Permit (SBP) fee.
- Bars, Restaurants & Airbnbs: Also required to pay 60% of the SBP.
- Live Bands: Resident bands or regular live sets cost Ksh 50,000 in cities and Ksh 20,000 in other areas.
- Concerts: Local paying concerts are charged at Ksh 50,000, while international concerts are Ksh 100,000 per event.
3. Retail & public spaces
- Supermarkets: Fees range from Ksh 25,000 to Ksh 200,000 depending on the square footage and location.
- Salons & Barber Shops: Small businesses pay Ksh 5,000 in cities and Ksh 3,000 in other areas.
- Public Transport (PSVs): Rates vary by capacity, from Ksh 4,000 for taxis to Ksh 15,000 for buses (34+ seaters).
Enforcement and penalties
The 2026–2028 regulations introduce strict timelines and heavy penalties for non-compliance:
- The 30-Day Rule: All invoices must be settled within 30 days of issuance.
- Penalty for Delay: Failure to pay on time attracts a 5% monthly compounded penalty.
- Legal Action: Operating without a valid license can lead to criminal prosecution under the Copyright Act, with potential fines reaching Ksh 400,000 or imprisonment for up to six years.
How to stay compliant
Licensing is now handled through a consolidated system. DJs and business owners should ensure they receive a Joint License that covers all three main rights-holder groups.
- MCSK (Authors and Composers)
- KAMP (Producers of Sound Recordings)
- PRISK/PAVRISK (Performers and Audio-Visual Actors)
CONSOLIDATED (MUSIC AND AUDIO-VISUAL WORKS) TARIFFS – Jan 1, 2026- Dec 31, 2028
| Category / Establishment | Tariff Parameter | Tariff Classification | Consolidated Fee (Ksh) |
| Aircraft | Seating Capacity | Passenger seat per annum | 900 (Min. 25,000 per aircraft) |
| Amusement Parks/Arcades | Flat rate per class | Cities | 40,000 |
| All Other Areas | 25,000 | ||
| Professional Training/DJ Academies | Flat Rate | Annual Rate | 20,000 |
| Cinema theatres/Video Shows | Flat rate per theatre | Annual | 60,000 |
| Per day, per county | Cities and Urban areas | 5,000 | |
| All other areas | 2,000 | ||
| Private Members Clubs | Flat rate | Cities | 100,000 |
| All Other Areas | 75,000 | ||
| Discotheques, Night Clubs, Casinos | % of Single Business Permit | All Areas | 60% of SBP |
| Medical Facilities | Hospital | Level 1 | 5,000 |
| Level 2 | 10,000 | ||
| Level 3 | 15,000 | ||
| Level 4 | 50,000 | ||
| Level 5 | 200,000 | ||
| Level 6 | 500,000 | ||
| Flat rate | Clinics, Chemists, Pharmacy | 5,000 | |
| Bars, Restaurants, Eateries, Airbnbs | % of Single Business Permit | All Areas | 60% of SBP |
| Hotels, Lodges | % of Single Business Permit | All Areas | 60% of SBP |
| Mobile DJs | Flat rate | Annual | 30,000 |
| Flat rate | Per event | 1,000 | |
| Motor Vehicles (PSV, Taxi, etc.) | Seating capacity | 1 – 5 seaters (including taxis) | 4,000 |
| 6 – 14 seaters | 6,000 | ||
| 15 – 33 seaters | 10,000 | ||
| 34 and above seaters | 15,000 | ||
| Flat rate | TSV (per seat annual) | 200 | |
| Trucks, trailers and lorries | 4,000 | ||
| Small cars and minivans | 2,500 | ||
| Train Coaches (per wagon) | 25,000 | ||
| Marine vessel | 60,000 | ||
| Marine vessel (Hotel attached) | 30,000 | ||
| Regular Live Band/Resident Musicians | Flat rate, per annum | Cities | 50,000 |
| All Other Areas | 20,000 | ||
| Concerts and Live Shows | Flat fee per event | Paying concerts | 50,000 |
| International Concerts | 100,000 | ||
| Roadshows | Per Truck / Annual | Per truck per event corporate | 50,000 |
| Other vehicles/event | 22,000 | ||
| Annual Rate per corporate | 1,100,000 | ||
| Promotional Activities/Activations | Per corporate / SME | Per corporate | 20,000 |
| SMEs | 5,000 | ||
| Banking Halls, Gyms, Workshops | Flat rate per branch | Cities | 25,000 |
| All other areas | 15,000 | ||
| Salons, Spas, Barber shops | Flat Rate per branch | Cities | 5,000 |
| All Other Areas | 3,000 | ||
| Supermarkets, Godowns, Halls | Flat rate (sq. ft) | Above 5000 sq.ft | 200k (Cities) / 150k (Others) |
| 3000 to 4999 sq.ft | 100k (Cities) / 75k (Others) | ||
| 1000 to 2999 sq.ft | 45k (Cities) / 30k (Others) | ||
| 1000 sq.ft and below | 25k (Cities) / 15k (Others) | ||
| Broadcasting (Radio & Television) | % of Net Revenue | National Radio | 4% (Min. 500,000) |
| National Television | 4% (Min. 400,000) | ||
| Regional Radio | 4% (Min. 300,000) | ||
| Regional Television | 4% (Min. 200,000) | ||
| Community Radio | 4% (Min. 160,000) | ||
| Community Television | 4% (Min. 100,000) | ||
| Flat rate | Pay TV / subscription | 750,000 | |
| Flat rate | Digital Online (V.O.D, OTT) | 250,000 | |
| Malls & Shopping Arcades | Flat Rate (sq. ft) | Above 15,000 sq. ft | 300,000 |
| 10,001 – 15,000 sq. ft | 200,000 | ||
| 1 – 10,000 sq. ft | 150,000 | ||
| Political Events & Campaigns | Flat Rate per type | Presidential candidate | 500,000 |
| Gubernatorial Candidate | 200,000 | ||
| Senatorial Candidate | 150,000 | ||
| MP / Women Rep | 100,000 | ||
| MCA | 15,000 | ||
| Public Transport Termini | Flat Rate per location | Int. Airport Nairobi | 500,000 |
| Int. Airport Other Cities | 400,000 | ||
| Other Airports | 300,000 | ||
| Airstrips | 200,000 | ||
| Railway Stations | 100,000 | ||
| Bus Stations | 50,000 | ||
| New Media Services | % of Gross Revenue | CRBT, Ringtones, Streaming | 9% (Min. 300,000) |