Zuku TV which is owned by Wananchi Group (Kenya) Limited is on spot for robbing filmmakers millions of shillings.
Management of the regional pay TV is ripping off film companies and when they are asked to pay, they threaten them with legal suits.
Bigstar News has established that Zuku TV management has been working in cahoots with another company called Sparks Corporate Solutions Limited to steal contents from filmmakers, air it and then intimidate them when they demand payment.
They are using the mother company’s Legal and Regulatory department to harass the film producers.
The department is run by Caroline Julio a, advocate to harass
It is an organised scheme which starts with Sparks Corporate Solutions Limited owned by Barrack Onyango advertising they are looking for content.
Once Onyango who is Zuku TV’s aggregator is identifies a good production, his company signs a contract with the filmmaker and they inform them how they will be paid before it is aired on Zuku TV.
They go ahead to air it discreetly without paying the content owners and when confronted they claim they are doing some pilot broadcasting to get views of audience and the review by Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB).
Those who threaten them with legal suits are silenced with responses from Julio, the advocate.
Zuku then tells the filmmaker that the KFCB has issues with the production so they won’t air it.
“They air your work without your knowledge and after making millions they tell you government has issues with some episodes so they will not use it. Unbeknownst to many filmmakers, their sweat has earned Zuku TV sweet” a producer told Bigstar News.
This scheme has now been exposed by Chems Production Limited which is pursuing millions from Zuku TV.
Chems Productions and Sparks Limited entered into a contract in March regarding “Taharuki”, a 35-episodes series.
The agreement was clear that Zuku was to pay Sh150, 000 per episode. This translated to Sh5.25 million for the whole series.
After the deal was sealed, Chems Production management waited for the pay in May but were surprised to learn Zuku Tv had aired 17 episodes without their knowledge.
When they confronted Onyango and Zuku TV management, their grievances were dismissed.
They told them off and even the Julio sent them a letter telling Chems Production they were not aware of any contract.
Asked how then they got the series if there was no pact, they went mute and started ignoring their case.
When the issue became hot following an exposé by The Nairobian newspaper, they promised to pay.
“Regarding the allegation that Zuku TV has aired 17 episodes without corresponding payment, I can confirm that neither Sparks Limited nor Zuku TV has refused to pay. We remain committed to resolving this matter swiftly and fairly” Onyango said in a letter.
He promised to wire the money by July 5 but has again refused.
It is claimed Zuku TV and Sparks Limited are in bed with government agencies like the Kenya Film Commission which should protect filmmakers.
“How they treat us with pride indicates they have protection in the government. We want to take the Gen Z route. If the youngsters tamed the powerful President Ruto, we know with help of media we can teach them a lesson” another producer vowed.
Surprisingly Wananchi Limited CEO Genue Mwaura who has been at the helm for eight years is aware of this dirty scheme but has allowed it to continue unabated.
Mwaura who was a man of reputation when he worked as Safaricom’s Head of Finance operations and Investor Relations is now muddied.
“Definitely Genue Mwaura is complicit. He is just ignoring cries of film producers. We spend a lot of money and time to produce these films. We’ll fight for justice” the producer said.
Plans are underway to stage a protest to shame Zuku TV, Onyango, CEO Mwaura and the advocate Julio.
