MCSK Board Suspends CEO Maurice Okoth Over Pending Court Cases

Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Maurice Okoth has been suspended with immediate effect by the board.
In a letter dated March 7, 2016, and addressed to Mr. Okoth, the MCSK Board stated that his suspension was due to his pending criminal cases in court, saying that they were putting the royalty-collecting body in jeopardy.
The Board also added that Okoth went overboard when he attempted to defraud the society of Sh350,000 by approving an invoice for alleged legal services by Otieno Arum and Co Advocates by a MCSK employer.
Mr Okoth was suspended alongside Management Accountant Lilian Thuo and Regional Manager Peter Inyenze. The trio were sent on suspension so as to allow the reopening of the organization’s frozen accounts according to the board Chairman Bernard Mukaisi.
“It is important to note that the three have not been sacked but suspended and on half pay pending investigations within 30 days,” said Mukaisi when he called for a press Conference at the Society’s offices in Westlands, Nairobi on Monday.
According to the board chair, there have been numerous complaints from the public and MCSK members about how royalties were distributed and it was important to investigate when the three were out of office.
The board has since appointed Mr. Merit Simiyu Wambati in an acting capacity to facilitate the smooth running of business at the society.