On 24 August 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta led thousands of mourners in sending off Benga music icon John Mwangi Ng'ang'a, also known as John De'Mathew, in Gatanga, Murang'a County.
During the funeral service, the President announced that the Government will move the Kenya Copyright Board from the Office of the Attorney General to the Ministry of ICT as part of measures to protect musicians from exploitation.
The President stated that the Ministry of ICT is the right home for the copyright board, as it can effectively monitor broadcasters, telecoms, and other entities that use productions by artistes.
He instructed the Ministry of ICT to ensure that artistes receive their dues, including royalties, before the renewal of licenses for broadcasters and telecoms.
The President also instructed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe organisations that collect money on behalf of musicians to see if they are embezzling what they collect.
He encouraged Members of Parliament to push through an amendment to the copyright laws that is pending in parliament and which is aimed at protecting the interests of artistes.
As a tribute to De'Mathew, the President announced that the government will set up a Ksh.10 million studio at Kirwarwa within Gatanga Constituency.
