Last reviewed: 21 September 2026 | Primary sources: Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), the Trade Marks Act, Trade Marks Rules, KIPI fee schedules and the KIPI eCitizen service channel.
Trademark registration in Kenya is the process of protecting a brand name, logo, slogan, device mark or other distinctive sign for specified goods or services through the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). A registered trademark gives the proprietor a clearer statutory basis for exclusive rights in Kenya than company-name or business-name registration alone.
Quick Answers: Trademark Registration in Kenya
Short answer: choose the owner and Nice class, conduct a KIPI TM27 search, file the TM2 application, respond to examination, proceed to publication and the 60-day opposition period, then complete registration if no successful opposition is filed.
| Cost | Core published KIPI checkpoints for one class are currently KES 12,000 at the Kenya fee rate or USD 560 at the foreign fee rate, before agent/professional fees and any objection, opposition or amendment work. The applicable fee rate should be confirmed against KIPI's current schedule. |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Correct applicant/owner, registrable mark, Nice class, clear goods or services specification, address for service and authority to act where an agent is used. |
| Documents | Applicant details, clear word/logo representation, class and specification, TM2 filing details, TM1/authority where applicable, and supporting identification or incorporation information when required for the filing mandate. |
| Process | TM27 search → TM2 filing → KIPI examination → acceptance/publication → 60-day opposition period → registration and certificate. |
| Processing time | BIEA planning estimate: about 10–16 months for a straightforward uncontested application. This is not a KIPI service guarantee; examination workload, objections, publication timing and oppositions can extend the process. |
| Key outcome | A registered Kenya trademark, renewable in further 10-year periods, subject to continued compliance and the applicable renewal procedure. |
Online filing: KIPI services can be accessed through the KIPI eCitizen channel for online applications and government payments.
On this page
Trademark Registration Cost in Kenya
Trademark registration cost in Kenya depends on the applicable KIPI fee rate, the number of Nice classes, whether an agent is appointed and whether the matter attracts objections, amendments or opposition proceedings. Keep official KIPI fees separate from professional/agent fees so the total cost is transparent.
How much is trademark registration in Kenya?
For planning purposes, the four core published KIPI checkpoints for one class — TM27 preliminary advice, TM2 application, advertisement and registration — total KES 12,000 at the Kenya fee rate or USD 560 at the foreign fee rate. These figures exclude TM1/agent appointment fees, BIEA professional fees and any contested or corrective work.
What changes the final cost?
- Number of Nice classes filed.
- Whether the applicant is local or foreign.
- Whether a trademark agent is appointed.
- Whether KIPI raises objections or a third party files opposition.
- Whether amendments, renewals, assignments, enforcement or portfolio work is required.
| Stage | Kenya fee rate | Foreign fee rate | Form / note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary advice / search | KES 3,000 first class; KES 2,000 each subsequent class | USD 150 first class; USD 100 each subsequent class | TM27 |
| Application filing | KES 4,000 first class; KES 3,000 each subsequent class | USD 200 first class; USD 150 each subsequent class | TM2 |
| Advertisement / publication | KES 3,000 first class; KES 2,500 each subsequent class | USD 60 first class; USD 50 each subsequent class | Publication stage |
| Registration / certificate | KES 2,000 first class; KES 1,500 each subsequent class | USD 150 first class; USD 100 each subsequent class | Registration stage |
| Appointment of agent | KES 1,000 | USD 50 | TM1 |
| Renewal | KES 4,000 first class; KES 3,000 each subsequent class | USD 200 first class; USD 150 each subsequent class | TM10 |
Fee-rate note: KIPI's published schedule distinguishes foreign-rate fees by residence/principal place of business, not simply passport or incorporation nationality. Confirm the applicable rate and latest schedule before payment.
Important: Fees can change. Confirm the latest KIPI fee schedule before filing or payment. Professional fees, opposition handling, amendment work, enforcement and multi-country strategy are separate.
Worked KIPI Fee Examples by Number of Classes
| Classes | Kenya fee rate | Foreign fee rate | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 class | KES 12,000 | USD 560 | TM27 preliminary advice + TM2 + advertisement + registration |
| 2 classes | KES 21,000 | USD 960 | First-class fees plus the published subsequent-class charges at each core stage |
| 3 classes | KES 30,000 | USD 1,360 | First-class fees plus two sets of subsequent-class charges at each core stage |
Calculation basis: current published KIPI first- and subsequent-class fees for TM27 preliminary advice, TM2 filing, advertisement and registration. Excludes TM1/agent fees, professional fees, objections, oppositions and other post-filing work.
Trademark Search in Kenya: TM27 Preliminary Advice
A trademark search in Kenya should be done before filing the TM2 application. The TM27 preliminary advice/search helps identify identical or confusingly similar marks already on the KIPI register or pending before KIPI. It is not a final guarantee of registration, but it reduces avoidable objections, oppositions and wasted filing fees.
| TM27 search issue | Why it matters | Practical filing advice |
|---|---|---|
| Identical or similar earlier marks | KIPI may object if the proposed mark is confusingly similar to an earlier mark in the same or related class. | Search before filing and consider modifying the brand, narrowing the specification or choosing a different mark. |
| Correct Nice class | A mark is protected in relation to specific goods or services, not every business activity generally. | Choose the class based on actual goods/services and future expansion plans. |
| Distinctiveness | Purely descriptive, generic or misleading marks are more likely to face objections. | Use distinctive brand names and avoid relying only on descriptive industry terms. |
| Opposition risk | Even if KIPI accepts the mark, third parties may oppose it after publication. | Combine the TM27 search with a market and online search before launching the brand widely. |
Get a Free Trademark Registration Quote
Send the proposed trademark or logo, the goods/services you want protected, the applicant name and country, and the number of classes if known. We can confirm the filing scope and quote the applicable professional fees separately from KIPI fees.
Trademark Registration Requirements and Documents in Kenya
A strong filing identifies the correct proprietor, the exact mark to be protected and a precise specification of the goods or services. The owner, mark format and class strategy chosen at filing can affect examination, enforcement and future expansion.
Who can register a trademark in Kenya?
An individual, Kenyan company, foreign company, partnership, association or other legal person may apply to register a trademark if it claims proprietorship of the mark for the relevant goods or services. Foreign applicants should also comply with KIPI's local-agent requirement.
Core filing requirements
- Applicant/owner: full legal name, nationality or country of incorporation and contact/address details.
- Trademark: the exact word mark, logo, slogan, device or combined mark to be protected.
- Nice class: the correct class or classes for the goods or services.
- Specification: clear wording describing the goods or services covered by the application.
- Address for service: especially important where a foreign applicant is represented in Kenya.
- Agent authority: TM1 or other required authority where an agent is appointed.
Documents and information to prepare
| Item | What to provide | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant details | Full legal name, address, nationality/country of incorporation, email and telephone. | The trademark should be filed in the name of the correct proprietor. |
| Trademark representation | Exact word mark or a clear, high-quality logo/device image. | KIPI examines and publishes the mark as filed. |
| Goods/services | A practical description of what the brand covers. | This determines the Nice class and scope of protection. |
| Class selection | Relevant Nice class or classes. | Trademark protection is tied to specified goods/services, not every business activity automatically. |
| Agent authorization | TM1/authority where applicable. | Required to formalize representation where an agent is used. |
| Priority details | Earlier foreign filing details and supporting priority document where priority is claimed. | May preserve an earlier priority date where the legal conditions are met. |
Word Mark, Logo or Combined Mark?
The filing format should reflect what the business most needs to protect. A word mark and a stylised logo are not always interchangeable from a protection strategy perspective.
| Filing type | What it protects | When it is often useful |
|---|---|---|
| Word mark | The wording itself, independent of one specific font or logo presentation. | When the brand name is the core commercial identifier and may be used in different visual styles. |
| Logo / device mark | The filed visual or graphic device. | When the logo has independent recognition or contains distinctive graphic elements. |
| Combined mark | The filed combination of wording and graphic elements. | When the commercial presentation is consistently used as one composite brand. |
| Separate word + logo filings | Separate protection strategies for the name and the visual identity. | Where budget and brand value justify broader portfolio coverage. |
The appropriate filing strategy is fact-specific. A search and class review should be completed before deciding whether one or multiple applications are commercially justified.
How to Register a Trademark in Kenya
A Kenya trademark application normally moves through eight practical stages: define the mark and proprietor, select the Nice class, conduct the TM27 preliminary search/advice, prepare TM2, file with KIPI, respond to examination, proceed through publication/opposition and complete registration. KIPI services can be accessed through the eCitizen channel, but the statutory examination and opposition requirements still apply.
- Define the mark and owner. Decide whether to protect a word mark, logo/device, slogan or combined mark, and confirm the correct legal proprietor.
- Choose the Nice class and specification. Match the filing to the goods or services the business actually provides or genuinely plans to provide.
- Conduct the TM27 trademark search. Check for identical or confusingly similar earlier marks and assess distinctiveness before filing.
- Prepare the TM2 application. Include the applicant details, mark representation, class and goods/services specification; prepare TM1/authority where an agent is appointed.
- File with KIPI and pay the official fee. Submit the application through the applicable KIPI service channel and retain the filing reference and payment record.
- Respond to KIPI examination. Deal with any formality, similarity, descriptiveness, disclaimer or specification issues raised by the Registry.
- Proceed to publication and opposition. If accepted, the application is advertised in the Industrial Property Journal and exposed to a 60-day opposition period.
- Complete registration. If there is no successful opposition, pay the applicable registration-stage fee and obtain the trademark certificate.
Why the TM27 search matters
A TM27 search is preliminary advice/search before the TM2 filing. It is not a guarantee of registration, but it helps identify earlier marks and obvious registrability risks before the applicant commits to the full filing process. For the page's existing cost intent, the official local first-class TM27 search fee is shown above as KES 3,000.
Talk to Us Before Filing
If you are unsure about the owner, class, wording of the specification, foreign-applicant route or whether to file a word mark and logo separately, send the proposed mark and a short description of the business before filing.
Trademark Processing Time, Opposition and Renewal in Kenya
BIEA planning estimate: allow roughly 10–16 months for a straightforward, uncontested application. This is a practical planning range, not a KIPI service guarantee. Examination workload, objections, publication cycles, applicant response times and opposition proceedings can materially extend the timeline.
| Stage | Planning range | Typical delay risk |
|---|---|---|
| TM27 search | A few days to a few weeks | Multiple classes, registry workload or similarity issues. |
| TM2 filing | Same day once the file is complete | Wrong owner, missing authority, unclear logo or poor specification. |
| KIPI examination | Several months | Similarity, descriptiveness, disclaimers, formality or classification queries. |
| Publication | After acceptance | Industrial Property Journal publication cycle. |
| Opposition | 60 days from publication | A third party files opposition or seeks an extension permitted by the Rules. |
| Registration/certificate | After opposition clearance | Outstanding fees, unresolved objections or registry processing backlog. |
What is the 60-day opposition period?
After acceptance, the trademark is advertised in the Industrial Property Journal. A person with grounds to challenge the registration may lodge a notice of opposition within the prescribed 60-day period. If an opposition is filed, the application moves into a contested procedure and the overall timeline and cost can increase substantially.
How long does a Kenya trademark last?
A registered trademark is protected for a 10-year term and may be renewed for further 10-year periods by following the prescribed KIPI renewal process and paying the applicable fee. Keep the proprietor and address-for-service details current so renewal and Registry correspondence are not missed.
What Happens if KIPI Objects to the Application?
An examination objection does not always mean the application is lost. The correct response depends on the ground raised and the commercial importance of the mark.
| Issue raised | What it usually means | Possible response |
|---|---|---|
| Similar earlier mark | KIPI has identified a possible conflict with an earlier application or registration. | Review the cited mark, distinguish the goods/services or mark where defensible, narrow the specification or reconsider the filing strategy. |
| Descriptive / non-distinctive wording | The mark may describe the goods, services, quality, purpose or another characteristic rather than function as a distinctive badge of origin. | Assess whether the objection can be answered, whether distinctive elements exist, or whether the mark/strategy should be changed. |
| Broad or unclear specification | The goods/services wording is too broad, ambiguous or poorly classified. | Clarify or narrow the specification and confirm the appropriate Nice class. |
| Disclaimer request | KIPI may require non-distinctive elements to be disclaimed from exclusive rights. | Assess the commercial effect and either accept the disclaimer or make submissions where justified. |
| Formal defect | Information, authority, representation or another filing formality is incomplete or inconsistent. | Correct the defect within the applicable response period. |
Common causes of delay
- Filing a descriptive, generic or confusingly similar mark.
- Choosing the wrong class or using an unclear goods/services specification.
- Inconsistent owner details or incomplete agent authority.
- Slow responses to KIPI examination queries.
- Third-party opposition after publication.
- Late payment of the next official fee stage.
Trademark Registration in Kenya for Foreign Applicants
Foreign individuals and companies can register trademarks in Kenya. KIPI states that a foreign applicant's application must be processed by a local agent. For fee purposes, KIPI's published schedule distinguishes the foreign rate by residence or principal place of business; the applicable rate should therefore be confirmed from the applicant's filing circumstances rather than nationality alone.
Direct KIPI filing or Madrid System?
| Route | When it may fit | Kenya effect |
|---|---|---|
| Direct KIPI filing | Kenya is a priority market or the applicant wants a Kenya-specific filing strategy. | Application is prosecuted directly before KIPI. |
| Madrid System designation | The brand is pursuing protection in multiple Madrid System members. | Kenya can be designated through the Madrid System, but KIPI can still examine/refuse protection under Kenyan law. |
Trademark Registration vs Company or Business Name Registration
These registrations solve different legal problems. Registering a company or business name with the Business Registration Service creates or records the business entity/name. Registering a trademark with KIPI protects the brand identifier for the specified goods or services.
| Issue | Company/business name | Trademark |
|---|---|---|
| Registry | Business Registration Service / Companies Registry | Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) |
| Main purpose | Create or record the legal/business name. | Protect a brand name, logo, slogan or device mark. |
| Scope | Entity/name administration. | Specified goods/services and classes. |
| Brand protection | Does not by itself provide the same trademark rights. | Provides the registered trademark right subject to the Act and registration scope. |
If you are setting up the business as well as protecting the brand, see our separate Kenya company registration service. If an existing registered trademark is being sold or transferred, use our separate trademark assignment in Kenya page so the registration and assignment intents remain distinct.
Trademark Registration Service in Kenya
BIEA assists local and foreign applicants with trademark clearance, class/specification review, KIPI filing, registry correspondence and registration follow-up. The engagement can cover the full filing process or a defined stage, depending on the status of the mark and the client's instructions.
| Service | Scope |
|---|---|
| Trademark search / clearance | Prepare the TM27 search and assess obvious identical or confusingly similar marks before TM2 filing. |
| Class and specification review | Map the client's goods/services to the relevant Nice class and refine the specification. |
| TM2 filing support | Prepare applicant, mark and class details and manage the filing package. |
| Foreign applicant support | Coordinate the local-agent/authority requirements and foreign-fee filing route. |
| KIPI correspondence | Track the matter and address routine examination or registry queries within the agreed scope. |
| Publication and registration follow-up | Monitor publication, the opposition stage and final registration-stage requirements. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Trademark Registration in Kenya
Why do some Kenya trademark search fees appear different online?
KIPI publishes a TM27 preliminary-advice fee under Rule 20(1) and a separate register-search fee under Rule 114. Confirm the exact service/form being requested before paying or comparing online figures.
When does the foreign KIPI trademark fee rate apply?
KIPI's fee schedule distinguishes the foreign fee rate by residence or principal place of business rather than nationality alone. Confirm the correct rate against the current schedule and the applicant's filing circumstances.
Should I register a word mark, logo or both?
A word mark generally protects the wording independently of one specific graphic presentation, while a logo/device or combined mark protects the visual form filed. Businesses with a commercially important name and logo may consider separate filings after a search, class review and budget assessment.
What happens if KIPI objects to the application?
The response depends on the objection. The applicant may need to distinguish earlier marks, narrow or clarify the specification, address descriptiveness, accept or contest a disclaimer, correct a formal defect or make legal submissions.
Can a company name registration replace a trademark?
No. Company or business-name registration and trademark registration serve different purposes. A valuable brand should be assessed separately for trademark protection through KIPI.
Official Sources and Legal Basis
Information reviewed on 21 September 2026. Trademark forms, fees, eCitizen workflows and Registry practice can change; confirm the current KIPI fee schedule and portal invoice before filing or payment.
- KIPI — Trade Marks guidance
- KIPI — Trade Mark Fees: Local and Foreign
- KIPI — Patent and Trademark Forms
- KIPI eCitizen — Online Services
- Kenya Law — Trade Marks Act
- Kenya Law — Trade Marks Rules
- WIPO — Madrid System Members
- ARIPO — Banjul Protocol Trademark System
Professional Review
Reviewed by Edward Omondi, Lawyer – Business Setup and Immigration Consultant, Nairobi, Kenya. The page was checked against KIPI guidance, the current KIPI trademark fee/form resources, the Trade Marks Act, the Trade Marks Rules and the KIPI eCitizen service channel. The 10–16 month timeline is a practical BIEA planning estimate rather than a statutory or KIPI-guaranteed turnaround time. This page is general information and is not a substitute for advice on a contested or fact-specific trademark matter.
Start a Kenya Trademark Registration
Send us the proposed mark or logo, the applicant's legal name and country, the goods/services to be protected and the number of classes if known. We can assess the filing scope and issue a quote separating KIPI government fees from professional fees.
Call: +254 700 176 096
Email: info@bieastafrica.com