Trademark registration in KenyaQuick answer
Trademarks in Kenya are registered with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI); the official application fee is KES 4,000 for one class, and third parties can oppose within 60 days from advertisement in the Industrial Property Journal. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Kenya can be designated through the Madrid System.
Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources
- Office
- KIPI
- Official fee
- KES 4,000
- Madrid Protocol
- Member since 1998
- Opposition
- 60 days from advertisement in the Industrial Pr…
- Protection
- 10 years from filing date
- Multi-class filing
- Allowed
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The trademark office and official links
Trademarks in Kenya are registered by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
Official fees in Kenya
| Official fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Official search (first class) Form TM 27; KES 1,000 per additional class; foreign payers USD 100 / USD 50 | KES 2,000 |
| Application (first class) Form TM 2; foreign payers USD 200 | KES 4,000 |
| Application (each additional class) foreign payers USD 150 | KES 3,000 |
| Registration (first class) foreign payers USD 150 | KES 2,000 |
| Registration (each additional class) foreign payers USD 100 | KES 1,500 |
| Renewal (first class) foreign payers USD 200 | KES 4,000 |
| Renewal (each additional class) foreign payers USD 150 | KES 3,000 |
| Late renewal surcharge within 30 days of non-renewal notice; foreign payers USD 150 | KES 3,000 |
| Notice of opposition foreign payers USD 250 | KES 5,000 |
Official office fees only. Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.
How to register a trademark in Kenya
- Optionally request an official availability search from KIPI using Form TM 27.
- File the application on Form TM 2 with representations of the mark and the list of goods or services by Nice class.
- Foreign applicants appoint a Kenyan agent using Form TM 1 (authorisation of agent).
- KIPI examines the application and may approve it, require a disclaimer, or issue a reasoned refusal.
- Once approved and the advertisement fee is paid, the mark is advertised in the Industrial Property Journal.
- If no opposition is filed within 60 days of advertisement, pay the registration fee and KIPI issues the registration certificate.
Examination, publication and opposition
- Examination: Examined by the Registrar of Trade Marks at KIPI for registrability and conflicts; no official examination time is stated.
- Publication: Industrial Property Journal (the Act also refers to the Kenya Gazette)
- Opposition period: 60 days from advertisement in the Industrial Property Journal (extendable on application)
- Typical timeline: About 6–12 months if there are no refusals or oppositions (secondary source)
Protection, renewal and use
- Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
- Late renewal: After expiry the lapse is published and the owner has about 30 days from publication to renew with a late fee; a removed mark can be restored on application with a restoration fee
- Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
Filing from abroad
- Local agent: Applicants without residence or a principal place of business in Kenya must file through a local agent and pay the foreign (USD) fee rates.
- Power of attorney: Authorisation of agent on Form TM 1, signed by the applicant; legalisation is not required according to a practitioner source, and stamp duty is payable.
- Language: English
Firms on TrademarksHub that cover Kenya can act as your local agent — see firms.
Madrid Protocol
Kenya is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 1998). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.
Trademark classes
Nice Classification (45 classes); KIPI publishes the 12th edition, and the Act (s. 54A) requires the Registrar to take the Nice Agreement into account. One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.
How Kenya compares
- Opposition: 60 days from advertisement in the Industrial Property Journal (extendable on application) — compare all countries
- Renewal: every 10 years; grace period After expiry the lapse is published and the owner has about 30 days from publication to renew with a late fee; a removed mark can be restored on application with a restoration fee — compare all countries
- Foreign owners: required — rules in every country
Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid
Good to know in Kenya
- KIPI charges two fee scales: Kenyan shillings for residents and US dollars for payers who neither reside nor have a principal place of business in Kenya.
- Kenya is a Madrid Protocol member, so international registrations can designate Kenya.
- KIPI publishes expired trademarks in the Industrial Property Journal before removal, giving owners a final window to renew.
- A registration removed for non-payment of renewal fees still blocks similar applications for one year after removal, unless there was no genuine use in the previous two years (s. 23(4)).
- Recordal against counterfeits is handled separately under the Anti-Counterfeit Act (Cap. 510).