On Tuesday, 20 January 2026 the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) of the Research,
Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) Division joined other key stakeholders at a forum to discuss the status
of counterfeiting in Nairobi City County and strategies for strengthening the multiagency approach to
curbing this form of illicit trade.
The meeting, dubbed Nairobi City County Interactive Stakeholder Forum, took place at the Weston
Hotel led by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) under the theme “Authentic Trade for a Safe, Fair and
Prosperous Nairobi”. The forum drew participants from relevant national government agencies, the
county government, private sector, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations,
trade and consumer associations, and civil society representatives among others.
Counterfeiting refers to theft of intellectual property rights belonging to another entity or individual,
which are recognized as such and protected through registration. According to ACA, counterfeiting may
happen through “manufacture, production, packaging, repackaging, labelling, or making” goods that are
similar to protected goods and is a violation of intellectual property rights.
In his keynote address, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry Dr Juma Mukwana, who
was also the chief guest at the forum, challenged participants to nurture the culture of innovation and
manufacturing as the basis for building a stronger national economy. “Let us manufacture first then
ACA and other government agencies will come in to protect your innovations and enterprises”, Dr
Mukhwana said. The PS reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting a competitive,
inclusive, safe, and profitable manufacturing environment especially to promote locally produced goods.
The ACA Executive Director, Dr Robi King’a said that the stakeholders meeting was crucial for Nairobi,
which is a hub for counterfeiting activities. He called upon the participants to work with the Authority in
stamping out the problem because it a threat to health, livelihoods, and economic growth. While
acknowledging the increased awareness of ACA by Kenyans and the registration of trademarks, the
Authority encouraged more innovators to register their intellectual properties to safeguard their rights.
Consumers were urged to avoid counterfeit goods. The Authority has plans to expand its public
awareness programmes to learning institutions and other stakeholders.
The stakeholders agreed to enhance collaboration in the war against counterfeiting through increased
information sharing, data protection, and efficient licensing among other activities.
The Intellectual Property Management Office at the University of Nairobi works with innovators on
matters relating to innovation development including incubation, commercialization, and related IP
rights.
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