Publishers demand jail sentences for book pirates

Phoenix Publishers CEO, John Mwazemba (left), and Kenya Publishers Association chairman Lawrence Njagi (centre) on March 12, 2014. Njagi said that from next year, anyone found selling pirated books would face the full force of the law. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

What you need to know:

  • According to Mr Njagi, KPA was working with the Education ministry to formulate an anti--counterfeit law.
  • County Director of Education Harrison Kiburu said inspections in public schools revealed that the ratio of textbooks to students was 1:5, contrary to the records at the Ministry of Education, which  show the ratio to be 1:1.

Book publishers now want pirates to be arrested and imprisoned  for not less than 10 years. 

Kenya Publishers Association chairman Lawrence Njagi yesterday said that from next year, anyone found selling pirated books would face the full force of the law.

According to Mr Njagi, KPA was working with the Education ministry to formulate an anti--counterfeit law.

“Those involved in any form of piracy will be charged with an anti-counterfeit offence and pay a fine of not less than Sh10 million or serve more than 10 years in jail,” he said, and added that most of the pirated copies were exam books.

“Pirates have started downloading books from the internet and selling unapproved flash cards,” he added.

Mr Njagi said they were working with the government to ensure implementation of a national book policy next year.

“The issue of teachers becoming booksellers will be addressed through the policy,” he said.

County Director of Education Harrison Kiburu said inspections in public schools revealed that the ratio of textbooks to students was 1:5, contrary to the records at the Ministry of Education, which  show the ratio to be 1:1.

“Pirated books are also a major problem in schools. Some of these books have wrong information,” Mr Kiburu said.