State-owned media house Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after reports emerged that artists contracted under its productions have not been paid for over two months.
Those affected include performers, content creators, and even technical crew members who continue to offer their services without any compensation. For many of them, the KBC gigs are their only source of income, and the delay has pushed them into serious financial struggles.
Some are now unable to pay rent, cover school fees, or even afford basic necessities like food and transport.
Even though KBC continues to air shows and programs created by these individuals, the management has not issued any formal statement acknowledging the delay or giving any promise of when payments will be made.
This silence has angered the affected artists, who now demand public accountability from the top leadership of the corporation. They have turned to whistleblowers and online activists for help, hoping to force the matter into the public eye.
According to Nyakundi Reports, a desperate group of artists reached out to digital activist Cyprian Nyakundi with a heartfelt message asking him to expose KBC’s failure.
In their plea, they described how the two-month delay has left many of them unable to survive. They said it was unfair for a national broadcaster to keep using their creative work while ignoring their pleas for payment.
The artists pointed out that this is not the first time KBC has failed to honour its obligations. They urged Nyakundi to tag and question the Managing Director and senior executives to explain why payments were being delayed, stressing that they were not asking for favours, just what they had already earned through hard work.
This situation is not new for KBC. The media house has a troubling record of delayed payments and broken promises.
Earlier in 2024, comedian Chipukeezy revealed he had not been paid for his show since November 2023, which led him to cancel production.
In February, the Music Copyright Society of Kenya stated that KBC owed artists over Ksh 300 million in royalties. These repeated delays have caused significant frustration, especially as the broadcaster continues using music, shows, and performances for both programming and advertising revenue.
The problem goes beyond just artists. In the past, even KBC employees and suppliers have faced long waits for their money. In 2019, it was reported that KBC owed more than Sh982 million in unpaid pension contributions, which left retired workers in despair.
Freelance journalists and contract workers have also complained in recent years about missing pay for months, with no word from the management.
These long-standing financial issues show a deeper problem at KBC. Many now believe the broadcaster cannot continue claiming to support local talent and national culture while treating creatives unfairly. The recent uproar has led to renewed calls for oversight bodies and the Ministry of Information to step in and fix the mess.
Without immediate action, KBC risks losing trust from the very people who make its programs possible.
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