The government is proposing to consolidate the agencies responsible for intellectual property, copyright and anti-counterfeit enforcement into a single regulator under sweeping reforms to the country’s intellectual property framework.
The Kenya Intellectual Property Bill, 2026 proposes establishing the Kenya Intellectual Property Authority (KIPA), which would absorb the functions of the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA).
The proposed merger would be one of the most significant changes to Kenya’s intellectual property administration, with the government seeking to eliminate overlapping mandates, fragmented oversight and inefficiencies in enforcement.
The Bill would bring laws governing patents, utility models, industrial designs, copyright, counterfeiting and intellectual property enforcement under a unified legal framework.
If enacted, the changes would affect how businesses, innovators, artists, inventors and other rights holders register, safeguard and enforce their intellectual property.
Appearing before the National Assembly Trade Committee, Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukwana said the reforms would strengthen efforts to combat counterfeiting and piracy while helping Kenya meet its international intellectual property obligations.
The government also expects the unified system to improve coordination between regulators, simplify access to intellectual property services and increase public confidence in the protection of creative and commercial rights.
KIPA would have responsibility for administering intellectual property rights under the proposed framework, creating a centralised system aimed at reducing duplication and administrative gaps.
The Bill also places greater emphasis on turning intellectual property, innovation, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions into commercial assets that can contribute to economic growth.
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For businesses, stronger enforcement could help reduce losses arising from counterfeit products, piracy and the unauthorised use of protected brands, technologies and other intellectual property.
The proposed reforms also address challenges emerging from the digital economy, including online copyright infringement and the role of digital platforms in enabling intellectual property violations.
The legislation further proposes the creation of an Intellectual Property Tribunal to handle disputes involving intellectual property rights and accelerate the resolution of related cases.
The government says stronger intellectual property protection could encourage innovation, attract investment, facilitate technology transfer and strengthen research and development.
The reforms are also expected to support Kenya’s growing creative economy by giving creators stronger protection and improving opportunities to commercialise their work locally and internationally.
The proposed legislation comes amid growing concerns over counterfeit trade, digital piracy and unauthorised use of intellectual property across both physical and online markets.
If passed, KIPA would become the central institution overseeing Kenya’s intellectual property ecosystem, with responsibilities covering registration, protection, enforcement and commercialisation.
The proposed merger therefore goes beyond restructuring government agencies, signalling an effort to position intellectual property as a driver of innovation, investment and economic competitiveness.
