Kenyan musician Nonini (real name Hubert Nakitare) has taken legal action against Nairobi-based car dealership CarSoko, accusing the company of using his popular track Kadhaa in a promotional video without permission.
In a formal complaint lodged through his lawyer, James T. Makori, the veteran artist alleges that CarSoko committed copyright infringement when it shared an advertisement featuring his music across multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
The promotional video, aimed at showcasing a collection of luxury cars, also starred popular social media personality Isaac Otesa, better known to his fans as Goliath wa Bungoma.
According to the complaint, the dealership failed to obtain a synchronization licence — a legal requirement under Kenya’s Copyright Act Cap 130 — which grants permission to pair music with video content for public or commercial use.
“Our client instructs us that his song was synchronized with the visuals without a synchronization licence, hence committing copyright infringement,” part of the legal notice stated.
The letter also reminded CarSoko that such a licence can only be issued by the song’s composer or its official publisher.
CarSoko, which describes itself on its website as Kenya’s premier car mart specialising in high-end SUVs — from Toyota Prados and Landcruisers to Range Rovers and BMWs — has yet to respond publicly to the complaint.
The company brands itself as the “home of Landcruisers” and is known for flashy promotional videos aimed at Kenya’s luxury vehicle market.
This isn’t the first time Nonini has gone to court to defend his creative rights.
In a landmark 2023 ruling, the artist secured a significant legal victory after social media influencer Brian Mutinda and electronics company Syinix used his hit We Kamu in a commercial campaign without authorisation.
The Nairobi court awarded Nonini KSh 4 million in damages for the infringement.
In that case, Nonini’s legal team successfully argued that the use of his song was both substantial and commercial, thereby disqualifying it from being considered fair use under Kenyan law.
