Institute promotes intellectual property awareness in Nyeri, Kitale and Nairobi during the Agricultural Society of Kenya shows

Photo: Willy Cheboi, Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) for Kiminini Sub-County, Trans Nzoia County, signs a visitors' book when he visited the Institute’s Stand at the Kitale National ASK Show in the presence of ASK and Institute officers.

The Institute participated in three Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) shows thereby promoting Intellectual Property (IP) awareness in Nyeri, Kitale and Nairobi and their environs. 

The three Shows, which are part of ASK’s Calendar of Events for the Year 2026, were held under the theme: "Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth".

The Shows brought together farmers, entrepreneurs in all sectors, including agribusinesses, government institutions, manufacturers, traders and other stakeholders to showcase products, technologies, services and innovations.

In this regard, they provided the Institute with a good a forum through which different teams of its officers engaged exhibitors, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), faculty and students of universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and sensitised them about IP – patents, industrial designs, utility models and trade marks - as well as on how they can protect their IP and leverage on IP rights to promote their productivity and competitiveness in the local and international markets for job and wealth creation.

It all began with the Central Kenya National ASK Show, which was held at the Kabiru-ini Showground in Nyeri County from 9th to 12th September, 2026.

The Institute then sent officers to the Kitale National Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show, held at the Kitale Showground, Trans Nzoia County, from 7th to 10th October, 2026.

This was followed by the Nairobi International Trade Fair, which was held at the Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi County from the 28th September to 4th October, 2026.  

During the three events, the officers not only welcomed the visitors to the Institute’s stands, but also distributed IP materials, carried out technology scouting, assisted some potential clients commence the application process for their different IP rights and responded to enquiries on IP registration and protection. 

The ASK events demonstrated the growing relevance of IP in commercialising the country’s agricultural sector, particularly through innovation, branding, technology, value addition and commercialisation.