Laverne Thomas


Special Projects Lead, Warner Music South Africa

Laverne Thomas is a creative executive with a track record for ensuring strategic growth for the individuals and organizations she has worked with in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. She traversed a career change from law to artist management, becoming a personal and business manager to Lagos based rapper @Ladipoe whilst managing UK based photographer @tobishinobi. Relocating to Nigeria from the UK in 2019, She served as the General Manager at Talent Exchange and Infrastructure, Africa's first financing marketplace for the creative industry. She spearheaded the company's office opening whilst developing the startups script screening platform for secure submission and assessment of 200+ scripts and established a COVID-19 Scriptwriting Fund to fund scriptwriters during the lockdown. From September 2020 to October 2021, Laverne Thomas worked as a Change Management Strategist at Warner Music Africa. Initially engaged to head a talent incubator program for musicians, she went on to develop transformational operational procedures for its Nigerian label partners. She systematized artist development and roll-out with an artist-centric approach focused on enhancing creative output and increased integration points with strategic partners.

Objectives of RIKE

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

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

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

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

Learn More
To assist in establishing best practise in the recording industry.




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




Learn More
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.




Learn More
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.




Learn More
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.




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




Learn More
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.




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




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




Learn More
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.




Learn More
To maintain relationships with music copyright organizations locally and internationally.






Learn More

Meet Our Board of Directors

Eric Musyoka

Music Producer and Sound Engineer, Decimal Records
View Profile

Bien-Aime Alusa Baraza

Award-winning Artist with Sauti Sol, Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Proprietor of Sol Generation Records
View Profile

Sean Watson

Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa
View Profile

Japheth Kasanga OGW

Music Producer and Publisher

View Profile

John Katana Harrison HSC, Them Mushrooms

Music Producer, Instrumentalist, Songwriter and Composer

View Profile

Manusha Sarawan


Commercial and Business Development Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

View Profile

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

Producer, Composer, Music Director, Teacher, Mentor
View Profile

Laverne Thomas

Special Projects Lead, Warner Music South Africa

View Profile