27/04/2026
KIPI, in collaboration with Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry - MITI - Kenya, Anti-Counterfeit Authority & Kenya Copyright Board, has celebrated this year's World Intellectual Property Day during which a project aimed at benefiting Youth-led MSMEs was launched in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization. The theme for the 2026 World IP Day is "IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate and its celebration was officiated by Karanja Njora, Secretary Administration, State Department of Industry, who represented PS Dr Juma Mukhwana, Cbs, PhD. In a speech read by Mr. Njora, Dr Mukhwana said sports is a lucrative and very rewarding career just like medicine, engineering, legal and other professions. He said an effective system of protection will ensure that players in the sports industry are able to invest time, money, and effort in their talent and innovations and earn from them without fearing that their IP rights will be infringed on. "This way, we will create an environment for the sector to play its critical role in job and wealth creation for our country’s socio-economic development," said Dr. Mukhwana during the ceremony held at The Eldoret National Polytechnic, Eldore. "This is where IP in the form of copyright, patents, industrial designs, utility models, and trade marks comes in — and that is why we are here today celebrating sports on this World IP Day 2026," he said. He challenged athletes to protect their name and image because they are brands, innovators and students to invent, design and register their IP early, sports clubs and federations to treat trade marks and copyright as assets, not afterthoughts and industry to partner with local creators. KIPI Chairman Wakili Allan Kosgey emphasized the importance on the protection of IP rights for those in the sports and creative industry. He said the Youth-led MSME Project is intended to support youth led entreprises with funding, training, mentorship and IP skills."KIPI continues to support MSME and youths in the creative industry as part of HE The President’s broader initiative to build the economy from the Bottom Up," he said. The celebration was also attended by KIPI Board Members Richard Muteti, Lawrence Njenga and Evelyn Mbaabu. Others are Kipchiumba Rutto of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports who represented Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, Anti-Counterfeit Authority Executive Director, Dr. Robi M. King'a, Kenya Copyright Board Ag. Executive Director, George Nyakweba, The Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Dr Charles Koech, among others