Musician’s children fight for royalties

The late musician Habel Kifoto. Kifoto claim to fame was for penning the award-winning song, "Charonyi ni Wasi". PHOTO | MICHAEL MUTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kifoto’s daughters said in court papers that their brothers have discriminated against them because they are women.
  • Memorable songs by Kifoto include "Uvivu ni Mbaya", "Tucheze Sambale" and "Riziki".

Sons of the late musician Habel Kifoto, the founder of the Maroon Commandos, have been directed to provide his death certificate which the sisters alleged has been hidden from them.

The sons are embroiled in a tussle with their sisters over the sharing of royalties.

Lady Justice Farah Amin on Thursday issued the order after the sisters accused their brothers of sidelining them in the sharing of royalties given by the Music Copyright Society of Kenya since their father’s death in 2011.

The sisters; Priscilla, Lucy, Sophia Mawondo, Martha and Tandiwe, have claimed that the society has in the past paid an unspecified amount of money as royalties to their two brothers, Jackson and Ernest Sobayeni, instead of paying the royalties to the estate of Habel Kifoto.

Kifoto’s daughters said in court papers that their brothers have discriminated against them because they are women.

The sisters need the death certificate to enable them get authority to administer their father’s estate.

Lady Justice Amin ordered Jackson Kifoto and Ernest Sobayeni Kifoto to attend the mention of the case next month and bring with them the original death certificate of Habel Kifoto.

The brothers said their sisters cannot sue them because they lack the letters to administer the estate. The sisters said they had been denied the certificate.

Kifoto claim to fame was for penning the award-winning song, "Charonyi ni Wasi".

Other memorable songs by Kifoto include "Uvivu ni Mbaya", "Tucheze Sambale" and "Riziki".

The case will be mentioned on February 17.