Relief for Embarambamba after KFCB agrees to alternative dispute resolution

Barely hours after lawyer Danstan Omari came to the defence of Gusii-based gospel artiste Christopher Musioma aka Embarambamba, leaders met and agreed that the controversy surrounding his songs be resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution.

This serves as a reprieve to the artiste who had initially been ordered to pay a whopping Sh6.4 million in film and licensing fees and to delete some songs from his YouTube account.

South Mugirango MP and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua, the Acting CEO of the Kenya Film Classifications Board Nelly Muluka and Mr Omari, amongst others met on Wednesday to discuss Embarambamba’s issue.

“We are going back to ADR. We had serious discussions with Mr Mutua, MP Osoro and Ms Muluka and we have agreed that he (Embarambamba) will continue with his work,” Mr Omari told NTV on the phone.

On his Facebook page, MP Osoro announced that Embarambamba had committed to “clean content going forward as a different trajectory is being pursued towards resolving the demand of Sh6.4 million by the KFCB”.

“The temporary ban on counter creation is lifted and he is now free to engage within acceptable limits,” MP Osoro’s statement read further.

On his part, Dr Mutua, also on Facebook, averred that “everyone deserves a second chance”.

According to Dr Mutua, Embarambamba needs help to become a better artist.”…we have embarked on the journey to help Embarambamba reform. I hope to God that this guy’s energy can be turned into something constructive,” said Dr Mutua.

Earlier, Mr Omari wrote a letter to Ms Muluka, accusing her of wanting to kill Embarambamba’s music career by tearing his songs as “indecent”.

Mr Omari defended Embarambamba saying, “he is a minister of the word of God whose creative works have all through been done with the aim of ministering the gospel and recruiting souls for Christ”.

The advocate argued that Embarambamba’s creativity crafted some of the contentious songs, like the one titled ‘Niko Uchi’.”… ‘Niko Uchi’ forms part of his genius creation aimed at reaching the deaf who lack the ability to hear his message but are nonetheless able to understand the message from pictures and scenes of the song,” the letter continued.

On February 28, 2024, Ms Muluka wrote to Embarabamba over his over 1000 song videos on YouTube, especially the one titled ‘Niko Uchi’.”Your over 1,000 videos on YouTube and the one titled ‘Niko Uchi’ among others, have been criticised for being blasphemous and contains offensive and vulgar language, thus eliciting sharp reaction and outcry from the public,” Ms Muluka’s letter read in part.

Accordingly, KFCB demanded that Embarambamba cease from circulating and broadcasting his music videos.

He was also instructed to comply with the requirements of the law by obtaining a film license and classification before exhibiting to the public.

But Mr Omari lambasted Ms Muluka for lacking precision and being discriminatory and hostile to Embarambamba.

“While you make reference to the over 1000 videos in our client’s YouTube channel, you have failed to particulize the videos in issue”.Mr Omari faulted KFCB for failing to give his client a fair administrative action by failing to invite him to the board to clarify some issues leading to the “administrative error”.

“We note that your impugned decision is discriminative and hostile to our clients rights to equality before the law,” he wrote.

The Board claimed that Embarambamba had contravened Sections 4(Part II) and 12 of the Cap 222 governing the creation, broadcasting, possession, distribution and exhibition of audio-visual content in Kenya.

“It is through my songs that I feed my parents and send my children to school. I have no other job,” the shaken Embarambamba had cried earlier.

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Documentaries

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Primetime

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.