Sean Watson


Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa

Sean has over thirty years in the music industry. He’s previously worked with Roots Records, headed EMI Music SA and Clive Calder Productions (CCP). With Chicco Twala he worked on Brenda Fassie's historical "Memeza" which remains a best-seller in SA; headed South African Music Awards (the SAMAs) as CEO before joining SME Africa in 2010 where he successfully ran the FiFA World Cup music project for SME Africa and worked with the Sony World Cup project team in New York on “Waka Waka” by Shakira and Freshlyground, the best performing anthem in the history of the event. As a firm believer in the potential of Africa; he’s since opened new offices for Sony in Lagos in 2014 and signed up to Sony’s roster African artists such as Davido and Wizkid from Nigeria, Redsan from Kenya, and Alikiba and Rose Muhando from Tanzania. He’s the chairman of the Board of RISA, sits on SAMPRA board as well as SAMPRA Development Fund that supports growth, development and security of SA music industry. He’s also a member of IFPI’s SSA regional Exco and member of the board of the Recording Industry of Kenya.

Objectives of RIKE

To admit as Members Producers of sound recordings and/or audio-visual recordings.

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To defend, develop and preserve the rights of Producers of sound recordings and audio-visual recordings in Kenya.

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To promote and encourage the advancement of the recording industry in Kenya.

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To protect and further the interests of Producers of sound recordings and audio-visual recordings in Kenya.

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To assist in establishing best practise in the recording industry.




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Maintain an International Standard Recording Code register for all releases by Producers in Kenya in line with the IFPI guidelines




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To originate and promote improvements in the law relating to copyright or other matters concerning Members' sound recordings. This includes supporting, opposing, or petitioning alterations in the law and lobbying the National Assembly as may be deemed expedient for the benefit of Members.




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To disseminate among Members information on matters affecting the business of the recording industry, to print, publish, issue, and circulate such papers, periodicals, circulars, and other literary undertakings as may be conducive for Members.




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To establish, form, and maintain if required, a library, archive, or collection of sound recordings or other articles of interest in connection with the business of the Members.




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To promote ethical business, repress malpractices, and investigate any other illicit activities detrimental to the recording industry as a whole.




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To establish and enforce rules and a code of conduct for the regulation, maintenance, and promotion of standards by Members, their management, employees, Directors, and agents in their dealings with each other and with third parties.




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To coordinate and establish with IFPI as an accredited service provider, the official Music Chart in Kenya




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To establish, audit, verify and award sales certifications in Kenya.




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To provide a forum in which Members may discuss matters of common interest and to provide a medium to represent Members in negotiations with government departments, relevant unions, trade associations, rights organizations, broadcasting organizations, collective management organizations, market research societies, and other interested parties, including to represent Members on issues of public policy and engagement with music users.




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To maintain relationships with music copyright organizations locally and internationally.






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Meet Our Board of Directors

Eric Musyoka

Music Producer and Sound Engineer, Decimal Records
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Bien-Aime Alusa Baraza

Award-winning Artist with Sauti Sol, Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Proprietor of Sol Generation Records
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Sean Watson

Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa
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Japheth Kasanga OGW

Music Producer and Publisher

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John Katana Harrison HSC, Them Mushrooms

Music Producer, Instrumentalist, Songwriter and Composer

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Manusha Sarawan


Commercial and Business Development Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

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Suzanne W. Gachukia-Opembe HSC, Owner Sub Sahara Ltd

Producer, Composer, Music Director, Teacher, Mentor
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Laverne Thomas

Special Projects Lead, Warner Music South Africa

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