‘I Will Fight For You’: Kenya’s Moral Cop Ezekiel Mutua Warm Message To Musicians

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 29- As he assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), Dr. Ezekiel Mutua has promised to fight for the musicians in the country.

In a Tweet, Mutua said he was going to work closely with musicians, to ensure their work is meaningful and profitable.

Mutua is known for his no-nonsense demeanor and radical reforms at the Kenya Films Classification Board (KFCB). His controversial tenure at KFCB earned him the nickname, moral cop.

His appointment took effect on March 25, 2022, according to a statement from MCSK on Monday.

“Dr. Mutua’s appointment follows rigorous competitive interviews in which he emerged top among the candidates who were interviewed for the position. Dr. Mutua brings to MCSK a great wealth of experience in leadership, media, and communications, having served in various top leadership positions, both in the public and private sectors,” said Lazarus Muli MCSK Board Chairman.

In the course of his career, he has risen through the ranks from Trainee Reporter (1994) to Sub-Editor (1998) at the Nation Media Group, Secretary-General of Kenya Union of Journalists (2001-2007), Director of Information & Public Communications (2007 2011), Information Secretary (2011-2015) and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Film Classification Board (2015-2021).

He has also served on several boards of State Corporations in Kenya, including the Kenya Copyright Board, the Media Council of Kenya, the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, the Brand Kenya Board, and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).

He chaired the Board of KOPIKEN the Reproduction Rights Society of Kenya – between 2005 and 2007 and was until October last 2021 the Vice-President of the South Africa-based African Content Regulation Harmonization Standard Setting Committee.

In December 2010, President Mwai Kibaki awarded Mutua the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) for his outstanding role in streamlining Government Communications during his tenure as Director of Information and Public Communications.

“We have faith that his passion and excellence , as attested by his exemplary performance in the previous positions he has held, will help us to steer the MCSK to the next level,” the MCSK Board Chairman said.

“We appeal to our local and international stakeholders to accord Dr. Mutua the necessary support and goodwill in the execution of his duties.”