The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) has issued a trademark to former president Daniel Moi for the name “Kabarak” after an application by his lawyer Tom Ojienda.
The issuance now means that anyone marketing goods or services under the name “Kabarak” without permission from former president faces a jail term of up to five years and a fine of Sh200,000 or both.
A trademark is a distinctive sign, symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. Registration of a trademark protects the owner against misuse, imitation of its mark or dilution through use in unrelated goods or services.
Kabarak is a Kalenjin word that means high or elevated. The town is located in Rongai constituency in Nakuru and the area MP Raymond Moi is the former president’s son. Moi also owns Kabarak High School, Kabarak University and Kabarak farms.
It is said that Moi applied for the trademark for 45 classes in 2016 and was granted the licences following no objection which means means no class of goods and services can be offered under that name.
This new development is definitely set to have Kenyans talking, considering the former president's legacy isn't all glamorous.