Public forums on a Bill aimed at protecting unique Kenyan products conclude
Photo: Mr. Samuel Njora, Secretary Administration, who represented PS, State Department of Industry
In a Notice that was published in the Daily Nation of 9th April 2026, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) informed the public that public participation would be undertaken with respect to the draft Geographical Indications Bill, 2026.
Subsequently, public participation on the Bill was undertaken from 17th April 2026 to 24th April 2026 in Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Nakuru, Garissa, Embu, Kakamega, Eldoret, and Mombasa.
The public participation exercise was concluded, marking a significant milestone towards the enactment of a law aimed at protecting unique Kenyan products. Thereafter, a team of officers from the Institute, the Ministry, and the Office of the Attorney General, met to collate, consider and incorporate the public views into the draft Bill, before it is submitted to the Cabinet for approval, and forwarding to Parliament for enactment into law.
The Bill, once enacted, will protect the intellectual property of unique agricultural produce, traditional crafts and natural products in the country. During the public participation forum held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Nairobi on 17th April 2026, Mr. Samuel Njora, Secretary Administration, who represented Dr. Juma Mukhwana, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Industry, stated that the law would protect products whose qualities, reputation, and characteristics had been influenced by their geography, including climate, water and soil.
“This Bill is a game-changer because, when it becomes law, its benefits to Kenyans are far-reaching and go beyond economic empowerment,” Mr. Njora said. He stated that the Bill would protect indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, enhance consumer confidence in Brand Kenya, increase Kenya’s global competitiveness and expand both local and export markets.
He said that some of the products that would benefit from the enactment of the Bill include coffee, tea and macadamia nuts from Central, Western, Rift Valley and Nyanza regions, baskets from different communities, Marachi Sofa from Busia County, honey from the counties of Baringo, Kitui and Turkana and coconut products from the coastal region.
Others are soapstone from Kisii County, Kipingi peanut butter from Homa Bay County, Wamunyu handicraft from Machakos County, rice from Kirinyaga and Kisumu Counties, camel milk and nyirinyiri meat from North Eastern Region, mukombero from Kakamega County and fish leather from Kisumu County.