KEPSA participated in a two-day training on Intellectual Property Rights recordation. The training, which was held in Nairobi from 4th to 5th October 2022, focused on creating awareness of the envisaged recordation system by the Anti-counterfeit Authority (ACA) of Kenya.

In her opening statement, the outgoing Cabinet Secretary for Trade Ms Betty Maina appreciated the steps that Kenya had taken towards the implementation of the recordation system and further protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The IPRs are critical in inspiring innovations and spurring investments in the country. Additionally, The CS noted that the success in combating illicit trade largely depended on the cooperation amongst the government agencies and the support received from the private sector. The CS concluded by reiterating the support of the government in promoting IPR to ensure investment.

The work of creatives that come up with goods and services must be respected, according to the ACA Executive Director Dr Robi Mbugua. He further called upon partners to help the Authority in delivering its mandate of protecting, the IP rights of Kenyans and consumers in general. In conclusion, he committed to engaging importers to ensure that the envisaged recordation system is acceptable to importers.

The ambassador, head of the delegation of the European Union in Nairobi, H.E Henriette Geiger appreciated that the future lies in the creative economy, therefore, having an IPR protection system and regimes is ensuring that the future of the economy in Kenya is safeguarded.

Ms Flora Mutahi, ACA and KEPSA Chairperson emphasized the need of having an enforcement plan that would be facilitative to businesses. A facilitative recordation system would ensure that businesses appreciate the importance of the system thus improving self-compliance, and boosting industry buy-in.

While representing KEPSA during a panel discussion that was discussing among other topics the impact of the recordation system on the private sector when implemented, Ms Susan Maingi, Chair of KEPSA Industrialization and Trade Sector Board, appreciated the envisaged recordation system noting that it would help the address the counterfeit challenge that was being experienced especially in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Moreover, Ms Maingi called upon the ACA to continuously engage and build the capacity of the SMEs. This would assist the SMEs to avert losses through counterfeiting. The recordation system will assist in the collation of data that would be analyzed to help in making sound policies and legislations around IPR thus facilitating businesses.

In conclusion, besides the IPR function of accelerating and protecting the sustainability of industrial jobs and creating new opportunities, it could lead to challenges in trade and hindrances in innovations, therefore, the IPR policies needed to be developed and implemented efficiently and effectively.