According to a 14 July 2026 report by Spoor & Fisher, the Kenya IP Authority Bill, 2026 has been introduced in the National Assembly. It proposes merging the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) into a single Kenya Intellectual Property Authority (KIPA), bringing patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright and anti-counterfeiting functions under one institutional framework. The bill also addresses mandatory IP recordation for imports, definitions for AI-assisted and AI-generated inventions, and a unified tribunal for IP disputes and appeals.
If enacted, the reform would amount to more than an administrative reorganisation. A single authority could reduce procedural overlap and improve coordination, but the practical effect will depend on the final parliamentary text and transitional rules for existing applications, registrations, enforcement matters and import records. Rights holders, importers and AI-focused businesses operating in Kenya should follow the legislative process closely and avoid treating the proposed measures as effective law before enactment and implementation.
