Description

This study analyzes trends in industrial property (patents) in Kenya between 1990 and 2021, building on a 2015 report. It compares two periods: the pre-devolution era (1990–2013) and the post-devolution era (2014–2021), following Kenya’s shift to a devolved system of government under the 2010 Constitution.

The report examines how patent activity has evolved in this new governance context, including differences in performance across counties, gender disparities in patenting, and patterns of collaboration and partnerships. It also explores how regulatory and policy changes have influenced innovation trends and integrates data visualizations and resource maps to illustrate developments.

Key questions addressed include ownership of patents, the balance between foreign and domestic applications, sectoral distribution of innovations in relation to Vision 2030, gender differences in patenting, and the impact of devolution on innovation systems. It also considers what policy reforms are needed to improve awareness, generation, and use of intellectual property in Kenya.

Using data from the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) database (1990–2021), the study applies an innovation systems approach and focuses on themes such as ownership, origin, economic sectors, governance, gender inclusion, and institutional linkages.

Main recommendations include strengthening KIPI and IP governance frameworks, enhancing the roles of universities, research institutes and the private sector, building capacity for institutional IP audits, mainstreaming gender and inclusion, aligning innovation with national development goals, deepening devolution by empowering counties, and improving collaboration and research infrastructure.