Institute celebrates World IP Day outside of Nairobi for the first time

Photo: Karanja Njora (Left), Secretary Administration, assisted by Allan Kosgey (Right),KIPI Board Chairman, launch the Youth-led MSMEs Project during the Celebrations at the Eldoret National Polytechnic

The Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) and other partners, for the first time celebrated the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day whose theme was IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate in two different counties outside of Nairobi. 

In two separate colourful ceremonies, the Institute and MITI, in partnership with the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), hosted this year’s World IP Day at the Eldoret National Polytechnic, Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County on 27th April 2026 and at the Iten Vocational Training Centre, Iten, in Elgeyo Marakwet County on 28th April 2026.

During the ceremony held in Eldoret, which is known as the City of Champions, the Institute launched a project aimed at benefiting Youth-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 

In a speech read on his behalf by Karanja Njora, Secretary Administration, Dr Juma Mukhwana, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Industry, said sports is a lucrative and very rewarding career just like medicine, engineering, legal and other professions. The Principal Secretary said an effective system of protection of IP 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 upon.

"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," he said at the Eldoret ceremony, which was attended by KIPI Board Chairman, Allan Kosgey and Board Members who attended were Richard Muteti, Lawrence Njenga and Evelyn Mbaabu.

Others were Kipchumba Rutto of the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports who represented Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, ACA Executive Director, Dr. Robi M. King'a, KECOBO Ag. Executive Director, George Nyakweba, The Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Dr Charles Koech, among others. "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," Dr. Mukhwana 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 Allan Kosgey emphasised the importance of sports and creative industry stakeholders protecting their IP rights.

Kosgey explained that the Project the Institute launched 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. 

During the event in Iten in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, which is also knowns as the Home of Champions, a team of KIPI officers led by the Board Members challenged sportsmen, women and stakeholders in the sports industry to protect their  IP rights so that they can continue earning even long after retiring. 

The event was also attended by representatives of the National and Elgeyo Marakwet County Governments, ACA,KECOBO, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Egerton University, Moi University, University of Kabianga,  Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), National Research Foundation (NRF) and members of the public. 
The Assis Dancers from the County entertained the participants.