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ARTICLE · 20 AUGUST 2026

Key Takeaways From Kenya’s New IP Bill

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Kenya is poised to transform its intellectual property landscape through the consolidation of three separate regulatory bodies into a single unified authority. The Kenya Intellectual Property Bill 2026 proposes sweeping reforms that would streamline IP administration, establish a specialized tribunal, and create comprehensive oversight of patents, trademarks, copyright, and anti-counterfeiting measures under one roof.

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The administration of IP in Kenya is currently fragmented. The KIPI administers patents, trade marks, utility models and industrial designs under the Industrial Property Act and the Trade Marks Act. The KECOBO administers copyright under the Copyright Act, while the ACA is responsible for combating counterfeiting under the Anti-Counterfeit Act.

The Kenya Intellectual Property Bill 2026, which is before the country’s National Assembly, seeks to consolidate the Industrial Property Act, the Copyright Act and the Anti-Counterfeit Act into a single comprehensive statute, repealing the existing legislation. It also proposes the establishment of the Kenya Intellectual Property Authority (KIPA), which would assume the functions currently performed by the KIPI, KECOBO and ACA. As a unified authority, the KIPA would administer patents and industrial designs, trade marks, utility models, copyright and related rights, and anti-counterfeiting measures.

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