When Robah Mwenyeji and Zakah Ukooflani (forming the rap duo Wenyeji) issued a public notice regarding their track “Mizani,” it felt like a familiar script. The hip-hop veterans caught tech giant Infinix using their song in a commercial campaign without authorization. Despite issuing cease-and-desist letters and DMCA takedowns, the situation highlights a persistent corporate issue: brands leveraging local art without paying for synchronization rights.

The Nonini Precedent: A Shift for Kenyan Artists

This situation closely parallels Genge pioneer Nonini’s legal battle. When electronics manufacturer Synix and influencer Brian Mutinda used Nonini’s hit “Wee Kamu” in a social media advertisement without permission, the musician took them to court.

The court ruled in Nonini’s favor, awarding him millions in damages for copyright infringement. The landmark ruling established that:

• Digital Ads Count: Social media campaigns are commercial property; sync licenses are mandatory.
• Influencers and Brands Share Liability: Agencies and corporations cannot blame third-party creators when unauthorized audio is used to push products.

Why This Matters

For too long, corporate entities have treated African catalog tracks as free background noise. Wenyeji taking a firm stand against Infinix—backed by legal action and community awareness—signals that Kenyan creatives are enforcing their rights. As precedents like Nonini’s prove, intellectual property is real property. Brands must budget for fair music licensing or face the legal consequences.