Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry is banking on the proposed Geographical Indications Bill, 2026, to transform Kenya’s agricultural and industrial sectors by boosting farmers’ incomes, creating jobs and positioning local products in premium global markets.

The draft law, being spearheaded in partnership with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), seeks to establish a legal framework for the recognition and protection of products whose unique qualities are linked to specific regions.

KIPI Managing Director John Onyango said the Bill will allow Kenya to brand and market its region-specific products as high-value commodities internationally, enabling them to fetch better prices.

“This is about giving identity to our products so they can compete globally and earn premium returns,” Onyango said.

He noted that the law will directly increase farmers’ earnings by shifting competition from quantity to quality and uniqueness, while also stimulating the entire value chain. Under the proposed framework, farmers will benefit from improved prices, while cooperatives and processors will drive value addition through activities such as milling, packaging and branding.

This, in turn, is expected to create employment opportunities and generate income for distributors and exporters. The broader impact, Onyango added, will be felt in rural areas where most of the products originate, ultimately improving livelihoods and empowering communities economically.

The Bill will also grant communities collective intellectual property rights over their products, enabling them to control usage, prevent misuse and strengthen their bargaining power in the market.

According to Onyango, counties are expected to play a central role in identifying, registering and managing geographical indication products, as well as ensuring compliance with environmental and production standards.

KIPI in collaboration with the ministry, he said, has embarked on a nationwide public participation exercise to gather stakeholder views before finalising the Bill. He said the process began last Friday in Nairobi, covering Nairobi, Kajiado and Kiambu counties.

On Monday, consultations were extended to multiple regions simultaneously, including Central Kenya (Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga and Murang’a), Nyanza (Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Nyamira and Kisii) and North Eastern (Garissa, Wajir and Mandera).

Further engagements are scheduled for Thursday in regions covering Eastern and Upper Eastern counties such as Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Embu, Machakos, Kitui and Makueni, as well as parts of Rift Valley that include Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana and West Pokot.                

Additional forums will be held in Kakamega for counties in western with the exercise expected to be conclude on Friday during a meetings in the Coast regions of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River.

“By the end of the week, we will have covered all 47 counties to ensure Kenyans have their say on this Bill,” Onyango said.

Key issues emerging from the consultations, he said, include how to define geographical boundaries for certain products, particularly those like fish that move across regions. He said all the concerns will be addressed in the final draft to be tabled before the cabinet.

“Once public participation is complete, the ministry will incorporate stakeholder views, prepare a report for Cabinet approval and subsequently table the Bill in Parliament,” he said.

If enacted, the law is expected to shift Kenya’s focus towards high-value, origin-based trade, enhancing export competitiveness while delivering greater returns to farmers and rural communities.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara