On Saturday, the Kenyatta International Convention Centre was a hub of celebration as Kenya joined the world in marking World Intellectual Property Day. Under the theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” the event underscored Kenya’s remarkable journey in transforming intellectual property (IP) from legal jargon into a catalyst for creativity and economic growth.
The gathering honoured innovators while spotlighting Kenya’s leadership in a continent where only 13 countries explicitly recognise IP in their constitutions. The 2010 Constitution broke new ground by embedding IP rights in Article 11, a visionary move that positioned Kenya ahead of peers like Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and others.
This constitutional mandate laid the foundation for robust laws such as the Trademark Act and Copyright Act, which have evolved to address modern challenges. The 2021 Copyright Amendment, for instance, tackled digital piracy, offering musicians and filmmakers tools to combat unauthorised use of their work. Similarly, the 2023 Amendment ensured artists earn royalties from digital platforms—a policy shift aligning perfectly with this year’s music-themed IP Day.
These reforms have not been symbolic. Kenya’s Global Innovation Index ranking climbed to 95th in 2023, up from 106th in 2018, reflecting tangible gains in translating IP protections into economic value. While Kenya’s legal strides are commendable, the fight against counterfeit goods—a $600 million annual drain on the economy—has found a powerful ally in Bleep Kenya, a homegrown tech platform revolutionising IP enforcement. Bleep empowers consumers to report suspicious products via a user-friendly app. By snapping a photo and tagging the location, users trigger real-time alerts to authorities and manufacturers, creating a crowdsourced map of counterfeit activity.
In its first year, Bleep identified over 1,200 counterfeit hotspots, leading to the seizure of 50,000 fake pharmaceuticals, electronics, and household goods. It partners with brands and integrates AI-powered verification and tracing technology, cross-referencing products with manufacturer databases to distinguish genuine items from fakes. This innovation has slashed enforcement response time for businesses and consumers alike.
The platform’s impact extends beyond urban centres, highlighting how technology is democratising IP enforcement, turning everyday citizens into frontline defenders of quality and authenticity. Kenya’s IP ecosystem thrives on institutional collaboration. KIPI’s IP Automation System, for example, has digitised patent and trademark registrations, reducing processing times from months to weeks.
Meanwhile, KECOBO’s anti-piracy operations have dismantled networks distributing pirated music and films, seizing over 500,000 counterfeit DVDS and digital devices in 2023 alone. The Konza Technopolis —a $2 billion tech hub— epitomises Kenya’s IP-driven ambitions. Dubbed “Silicon Savannah,” it hosts startups like FarmDrive, whose patented soil sensors help farmers optimise crop yields. Such innovations, protected by Kenya’s IP laws, attract global investors and underscore the link between IP rights and sustainable development.
The writer is the founder of LawFirm Technology. www.rmlawafrica.com.
By Richard Muhereza