# Trademark registration in Kenya

> 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.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/kenya
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI)
- **Official fee:** KES 4,000 — Application (first class)
- **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 1998
- **Opposition period:** 60 days from advertisement in the Industrial Property Journal
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** Allowed
- **Foreign applicants:** Applicants without residence or a principal place of business in Kenya must file through a local agent and pay the fore…

## Official links
- Trademark office: https://www.kipi.go.ke/
- Law: Trade Marks Act (Cap. 506) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/23269
- Law: Trade Marks Rules (Legal Notice 575 of 1956, as amended) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/23304
- Law: Anti-Counterfeit Act (Cap. 510) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/23271

## Official fees
- Official search (first class): KES 2,000 — Form TM 27; KES 1,000 per additional class; foreign payers USD 100 / USD 50
- Application (first class): KES 4,000 — Form TM 2; foreign payers USD 200
- Application (each additional class): KES 3,000 — foreign payers USD 150
- Registration (first class): KES 2,000 — foreign payers USD 150
- Registration (each additional class): KES 1,500 — foreign payers USD 100
- Renewal (first class): KES 4,000 — foreign payers USD 200
- Renewal (each additional class): KES 3,000 — foreign payers USD 150
- Late renewal surcharge: KES 3,000 — within 30 days of non-renewal notice; foreign payers USD 150
- Notice of opposition: KES 5,000 — foreign payers USD 250

## Steps
1. Optionally request an official availability search from KIPI using Form TM 27.
2. File the application on Form TM 2 with representations of the mark and the list of goods or services by Nice class.
3. Foreign applicants appoint a Kenyan agent using Form TM 1 (authorisation of agent).
4. KIPI examines the application and may approve it, require a disclaimer, or issue a reasoned refusal.
5. Once approved and the advertisement fee is paid, the mark is advertised in the Industrial Property Journal.
6. If no opposition is filed within 60 days of advertisement, pay the registration fee and KIPI issues the registration certificate.

- **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:** 60 days from advertisement in the Industrial Property Journal (extendable on application)
- **Timeline:** About 6–12 months if there are no refusals or oppositions (secondary source)
- **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
- **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
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- 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).

## FAQ
### How much does it cost to register a trademark in Kenya?
KIPI's official fees for a local applicant are KES 4,000 to file in the first class and KES 2,000 to register, with lower fees for each additional class. Foreign payers pay USD 200 to file and USD 150 to register in the first class.

### How long does trademark registration take in Kenya?
A practitioner source estimates about 6 to 12 months if there are no refusals or oppositions. The 60-day opposition window after advertisement is fixed by the rules.

### Is Kenya part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for Kenya since 26 June 1998.

### How long does a Kenyan trademark registration last?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods.

### Do foreign companies need a local agent to file a trademark in Kenya?
Yes. Foreign applicants file through a Kenyan agent appointed on Form TM 1 and pay the USD fee scale.

## Sources
- KIPI fee schedules page: https://www.kipi.go.ke/fees-schedules
- KIPI Trade Marks fees schedule (local and foreign): https://www.kipi.go.ke/sites/default/files/KIPI/Acts%20and%20Regulations/trade%20mark%20fees%20local%20and%20foreign.pdf
- KIPI FAQs: https://kipi.go.ke/faqs
- KIPI home page: https://www.kipi.go.ke/
- WIPO Lex – Kenya Trade Marks Act (Cap. 506): https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/23269
- WIPO Lex – Kenya profile: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/members/profile/KE
- WIPO Lex – Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/ShowResults?search_what=C&treaty_id=8
- Guide to registering a trademark in Kenya (CIPIT): https://ipdatabase.cipit.org/article/5/guide-to-registering-a-trademark-in-kenya

Need a firm that files in Kenya? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/kenya (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.