Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) are running a hashtag #DisbandKECOBO after more evidence of data theft allegations surfaced.
“The moribund body called KECOBO is demanding metadata of CMOs including members IDs and phone numbers as a prerequisite for getting licenses to operate. This is akin to asking media houses or SACCOs to provide personal data of their employees. That’s not the work of Govt’, MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua tweeted.
KECOBO’s Executive Dirtector Edward Sigei has been bought by Liberty Afrika Technologies and has been pressuring Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) to hand over their client’s (read artistes, performers, musicians) data to create a National Rights Registry (NRR).
Sources say, Liberty Afrika has already captured data from the Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK).
Dr Njagi handed over the data to appease both Sigei and Wachira, however, the court case continues.
Further Dr Njagi is accused of stealing Sh2 million from the collective funds of the CMO’s.
Shadowy Goldrock Capital at the center of e-Citizen’s looting
The corrupt Njagi is believed to have taken the money to repay Wachira but failed to do so.
He is now being held hostage by two sides, KECOBO and Liberty Afrika.
The request for data from MCSK, PRISK and KAMP is illegal as it goes contrary to section 25 of the Data Protection Act which states, “Every data controller or data processor shall ensure that personal data is processed in accordance with the right to privacy of the data subject.”
In a long statement, MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua castigated KECOBO for disobeying court orders.
“Your purported decision to deny MCSK a license as well as your unilateral, draconian and illegal orders for MCSK to cease collections is laughable, null and void and amounts to abuse of office and contempt of Court Order,” his statement said in part.
He said the MCSK has moved to court over the denial of license on illegal grounds.
“We have instructed our lawyers to take the necessary action regarding this matter”.
He accused Edward Sigei of having a personal gain in the request for data from CMOs.
“In the fullness of time, your constant interference with CMO operations, your conflict of interest in the operations of CMOs for your own personal gain will be made bare. We have reports of solicitation of bribes and conflict of interest that makes you want to introduce a new licensing system,” Mutua wrote.
Last week, the board chairperson of Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) aired similar sentiments.
KAMP exposes KECOBO’s unreasonable, illegitimate and illegal demands
More on the issue and statement from Ezekiel Mutua
Instead of KECOBO, which has demonstrated its inability to care for its members, we need a body that is accountable enough to do so.#DisbandKECOBO
— Miss Smith❤️ (@kelitu__) January 23, 2023
It's time they told us the truth and explained why they needed our private information.#DisbandKECOBO
— Ajawa Republic🔥🔥 (@itskiplagat) January 23, 2023
We believe that the protection action the constitution against personal data is clear that personal data should not be shared unless and otherwise the owner is aware#DisbandKECOBO@AbabuNamwamba @KenyaCopyright, @WilliamsRuto @cbs_ke
— Dismus🇰🇪🇺🇸 (@dismus__ke) January 23, 2023
Audit what? If that is the objective, they should hire auditors and send them to the ground. Data protection laws outlaws sharing information about an individual without his consent. KECOBO is becoming rogue and unbearable
— Pinto Demorest (@pinto_demorest) January 23, 2023
