Veteran gospel artiste Reuben Kigame has banned officers from the government and copyright bodies from his funeral, when the time comes for him to bid the world farewell.

In a tweet thread, Kigame lamented at the tribulations he has been forced to undergo in the hands of the government and copyright entities as he seeks royalties for his musical work.

The irate veteran gospel musician says he has had enough and officers from the state and Music Copyright Society of Kenya and Performers Rights Society Of Kenya should keep off his burial.

“I wish to go public about something and I want it marked well: if you One day hear musician Reuben Kigame is dead, do not allow any government representative or those from the so cold copyright societies to speak at my funeral service.What I have been through under them is enough,” he stated on Twitter.

The Ombi Langu singer says he has released 29 albums in his music career that took off in 1987 but has very little to show for it yet his songs got massive airplay in the country.

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“Been recording music since 1987. Released 29 albums with daily airplay in many stations around Kenya. My songs are played on just about every public event including by police and military bands. Yet at the end of the month I can only look forward to about ksh18,000 in royalties,” he went on.

Reuben Kigame. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kigame lamented at alleged hoarding of royalties belonging to Kenyan artistes by various bodies, leaving many of them to languish in poverty for their works while getting peanuts.

“Before I am told to be grateful, think about MCSK and PRISK hoarding royalties from 2009, sAFARICOM and other bodies getting the bigger share in collections, piracy and cartel theft! If anyone doubted God can provide, ask me,” Kigame added.

He concluded, “So this is the point: I am one of those doing very well, or so I assume. What are other musicians getting? Out of ksh 10 of skiza royalties, I keep ksh 2 or 3. The rest is somebody else’s!”

Kigame’s thread captures the pain many Kenyans artistes continue to undergo as they seek royalties for their sweat amid controversy over the amounts released to them by MCSK.