Stakeholders back draft policy to protect innovation rights

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Stakeholders in Kenya’s manufacturing, research, innovation and creative sectors have called for stronger protection of intellectual property as a catalyst for economic growth and industrial transformation.

The call was made during a stakeholder consultation forum on the Draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy held in Embu Town on Wednesday in a forum that brought together representatives from National and County Governments, research institutions, universities, industry players, innovators, creative artists and intellectual property agencies in a bid to validate the draft policy and gather public input.

Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Industry, Dr Juma Mukhwana, the Industrialization Secretary, Prof. Erastus Gatebe, said Kenya possesses immense intellectual wealth that remains largely under-protected due to gaps in the country’s legal and policy framework.

Prof. Gatebe said Kenya’s greatest wealth lies in the minds of the people, but many of these ideas have not been adequately protected, exposing innovators to exploitation thus denying them the economic benefits of their creativity.

“Kenya is home to remarkable innovations in manufacturing, technology, agriculture and the creative economy that have not been protected owing to an outdated legal framework that has left many innovations vulnerable to exploitation,” he said.

He observed that indigenous knowledge, including traditional medicine and cultural innovations, has for many years been commercially exploited without adequate recognition, ownership or benefit-sharing for the communities that developed them.

He added that the proposed National Intellectual Property Policy seeks to address these gaps by creating a robust framework that protects intellectual assets while encouraging innovation and investment.

Prof. Gatebe further noted that persistent piracy has significantly reduced the earnings of Kenyan artists and creators, while counterfeit products continue to undermine genuine manufacturers, discourage investment and expose consumers to unsafe products.

He said the policy will strengthen enforcement mechanisms to safeguard legitimate businesses and reward innovation.

The Industrialization Secretary also emphasized the need to protect local technology start-ups by creating a predictable intellectual property environment that attracts venture capital and encourages commercialization of innovations.

He added that stronger protection of agricultural innovations, including geographical indications, would enable Kenyan products to build unique brand identities and compete favorably in regional and international markets.

He noted that these interventions form part of the government’s broader industrialization agenda aim at increasing manufacturing’s contribution to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product from the current 7.1 per cent to double-digit growth, while creating jobs, expanding exports and enhancing national competitiveness.

Prof. Gatebe called upon institutions charged with intellectual property administration and enforcement—including the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), the National Research Fund, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)—to strengthen collaboration in enforcing intellectual property rights and supporting innovators across the country.

Anti-Counterfeit Authority Board Chairperson Nelson Gaichuhie, said the success of the National Intellectual Property Policy would depend on strong partnerships among National and County Governments, research institutions, universities, innovators, the private sector, development partners and local communities.

“The Anti-Counterfeit Authority remains committed to working closely with all our partner institutions to strengthen intellectual property protection, safeguard legitimate trade and support an environment where innovation can flourish,” he said.

Participants also underscored the need to protect agricultural innovations and indigenous knowledge, citing the immense commercial potential of traditional knowledge from counties such as Isiolo.

Embu Municipality Jua Kali Association Chair Jamleck Mugane called for stronger mechanisms to commercialize indigenous innovations while ensuring communities benefit from their intellectual property through an effective legal and policy framework.

He decried how their innovations have been counterfeited by unscrupulous traders cloning their creativity to make quick money because of lack of national patent policy that has left their work open to theft.

Mugane called for nationwide endorsement of the policy move he noted will transform intellectual property into a powerful economic shield for Kenyan inventors.

By Samuel Waititu and Ann Sabuni (PCO)

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.