Three government agencies could soon operate as one under a proposed law that seeks to change how Kenya protects inventions, creative works, brands and other intellectual property.
The plan would establish the Kenya Intellectual Property Authority (KIPA), bringing together functions now carried out by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA).
The proposal is contained in the Kenya Intellectual Property Bill, 2026, which seeks to place the country’s intellectual property laws under one framework.
The legislation covers patents, utility models, industrial designs, copyright, related rights, counterfeit goods and the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The planned changes would affect a wide range of people and organisations, including businesses, inventors, artists, innovators and other owners of intellectual property. They would also change the way such rights are registered, protected and enforced.
The government says the current arrangement has led to different agencies handling related responsibilities, creating gaps and overlaps in the way intellectual property matters are managed.
Principal Secretary for Industry Juma Mukwana told the National Assembly Trade Committee that bringing the functions together would improve the country’s response to counterfeit goods and piracy while helping Kenya meet its international commitments.
“The Bill is expected to strengthen enforcement against counterfeiting and piracy, enhance compliance with Kenya’s international obligations and promote public confidence in the intellectual property system,” said the PS.
Under the proposed system, KIPA would become the main agency responsible for intellectual property administration. The authority would coordinate matters that are currently spread across the three institutions, with the government expecting this to reduce duplication and make services easier for rights holders to access.
The Bill also gives attention to the economic value of intellectual property. It seeks to promote the use and commercialisation of innovations, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, with the aim of turning protected ideas and creative works into sources of economic activity.
For companies, the proposed changes could provide a more coordinated response to the sale and use of counterfeit products. The Bill also seeks to deal with piracy and the unauthorised use of protected brands, technologies and other intellectual property.
The proposed framework takes into account the growing role of digital platforms. It includes measures targeting online copyright violations and the involvement of digital platforms and intermediaries in activities that may breach intellectual property rights.
Another key proposal is the creation of an Intellectual Property Tribunal. The specialised body would provide a dedicated avenue for handling intellectual property disputes and is expected to help cases move through the dispute process more quickly.
The government believes better protection of intellectual property can help create an environment where people are more willing to develop new ideas and invest in their commercial use. It also links stronger intellectual property protection to investment, technology transfer, research and development.
The creative sector is another area expected to benefit from the proposed reforms. Stronger protection for creators could improve their ability to earn from their work and take Kenyan intellectual property to markets outside the country.
The Bill comes as rights holders and businesses deal with both traditional and new forms of intellectual property violations. Counterfeit goods continue to affect physical markets, while digital piracy and unauthorised use of protected material have created additional challenges online.
If passed, the legislation would give KIPA a wide role covering the registration, protection, enforcement and commercialisation of intellectual property rights. The authority would effectively become the central institution overseeing the sector.
The government’s proposal is therefore aimed at more than simply combining three agencies. It seeks to create one system for intellectual property management while improving enforcement and giving greater room for innovation, creativity and investment to contribute to Kenya’s economy.