Kenya releases landmark report on intellectual property rights protection and enforcement

SHARON ATIENO- KNA

Kenya has released the Second International Symposium on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement (ISIPPE-2) Report, reaffirming its commitment to combating counterfeiting and safeguarding intellectual property (IP) rights.

The report summarizes in sights, best practices, and actionable recommendations to strengthen IP protection, enhance enforcement, and pro mote public awareness.

The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Salim Mvurya, noted that the ISIPPE-2 Report serves as a clarion call for collective action to address the challenges facing intellectual property rights comprehensively.

“Counterfeiting is a global menace that costs the world economy $2.2 trillion annually. In Kenya, it robs us of ap proximately Sh100 billion each year,” he lamented, adding that beyond the economic impact, counterfeit goods jeopardize lives and undermine fair trade.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safe guarding Kenya’s economy, innovators, and consumers, as well as achieving its targets of increasing the manufacturing sector’s GDP contribution to 20 percent by 2030 and tripling the export contribution annually.

In a speech read on his behalf by Industrialization Secretary Prof. Erastus Gatebe, Mvurya emphasized the role of County Aggregation Industrial Parks in fostering innovation and value addition across all 47 counties.

“The release of the ISIPPE-2 Report comes at a time when the Kenyan government has renewed its efforts toward strengthening its IP protection framework to drive innovation and economic development,” he stated.

Further, the CS called upon stakeholders and patriots to unite and act decisively in de fending the country against counterfeiting, a collaboration he maintains will create a safer and healthier world while fostering a culture of innovation for the future generations.

“We are making significant strides in aligning with global best practices in IP protection. Early this month, experts vali dated the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), developed in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),” revealed Mvurya, as he underscored the strategic importance of intellectual property in Kenya’s industrial development.

He at the same time reiterated that the policy fosters in novation, attracts investment and ensures that there is fair competition in Kenyan markets because the IP policy development and implementation is one of the recommendations from ISIPPE-2.

The CS pointed out that the efforts align with the government’s agenda which prioritizes industrial growth through Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) support.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Board of Directors, Josephat Kabeabea stressed that the report is more than a publication since it is a call to action and a blueprint for action.

Emphasizing the importance of collaboration in tackling counterfeiting, he asserted that through multi-agency collabo rations and the adoption of technology-driven solutions like the anti-Counterfeit Authority Integrated Management System (AIMS), the report strengthens enforcement mechanisms and facilitates legitimate trade.

Meanwhile, ACA Executive Director Dr. Robi Njoroge emphasised the role of the ISIPPE forums in fostering global collaboration and creation of knowledge in the global south.

He recalled the hosting of the Second International Symposium on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement (ISIPPE-2) which was held be tween June 5th -6th, 2024 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi with the aim of protecting consumers from adverse health and safety risks associated with counterfeit products.

“The ISIPPE-2 symposium demonstrated Kenya’s commitment to becoming a leader in IP protection in Africa,” he said, adding that the recommendations in the report will fuel industrial growth, protect innovators and enhance consumer safety.

Dr. Njoroge announced the preparations for the Third International Symposium on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement (ISIPPE-3), scheduled to commence on 4th to 5th June 2025, with the aim of focusing on sustainability and advancing enforcement mechanisms.