Kenyan DJs will now have to pay an annual license fee to play music at events, clubs, and academies under new government-approved tariffs that tighten enforcement of copyright law.
What the new DJ license requires
According to the newly gazetted 2026 music tariff, any DJ or person who publicly plays recorded music must obtain a performance licence before taking up gigs.
The annual fee for DJs has been set at about Sh20,000, with some updates indicating the amount could rise to Sh30,000 depending on the category and venue size.
The licence is issued through Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) that hold rights on behalf of artists and producers.
Currently, KECOBO recognizes three CMOs for music rights:
Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) – songwriters and composers
Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP) – producers and labels
Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK)—performers.
Under the Copyright Act, a DJ who plays music without the required licence risks fines, equipment seizure, and possible court action.
Why the licence has been introduced
Regulators say the new tariff aims to do three main things:
Ensure artists, producers, and performers earn royalties when their music is played in public.
Bring order to a space where many DJs and venues have operated without permits.
Create a clear, annual fee structure instead of irregular or disputed payments.
For years, CMOs and creatives have complained that DJs and entertainment spots use music to drive business.
Yet a large portion of that value never reaches rights holders. The licence is meant to close that gap and professionalize the sector.
How this affects DJs and events
For working DJs, the licence becomes a new cost of doing business.
Many are already warning that they may have to
Raise their performance fees to cover the annual charge.
Prioritize formal contracts so event organizers share or absorb part of the cost.
Avoid unlicensed venues to reduce legal risk.
Event organizers and club owners also remain responsible for their premises licenses, meaning both the venue and the DJ must be covered.
Fans may feel the impact through slightly higher ticket prices, drink prices, or reduced frequency of smaller events where margins are tight.
The debate: fair pay vs new burden
Supporters of the tariff argue that a professional DJ should factor in an annual licence just as they invest in decks, laptops, and sound systems.
And that the move finally respects Kenyan creatives.
Critics, especially small‑scale and upcoming DJs, see it as yet another burden in a tough economy.
And question whether CMOs will transparently distribute the money to musicians.
As the new rules take effect, the big tests will be fairness in enforcement and clarity in how much each category pays.
And proof that artists actually receive better royalty payouts from the fees DJs are now required to pay.
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