Retired President Daniel Moi Acquires Exclusive Rights to Kabarak Name

Retired President Daniel arap Moi has been granted exclusive rights to the name 'Kabarak'. Kabarak is a Kalenjin word that means an elevated place.

Kabarak is an area in Rongai Constituency, Nakuru County where the rural residence of Moi is located. His son, Raymond Moi is the area Member of Parliament.

The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) has given the trademark to Moi after an application filed by his lawyer Tom Ojienda.

Persons and companies marketing goods or services under the name ‘Kabarak’ without the authority of the former President face a jail sentence of up to five years, a fine of Sh 200,000 or both.

“One can register a geographical name so long as it has acquired distinctiveness with respect to the goods or services it is used in relation to and the goods or services are actually produced or offered in that geographic location,” KIPI Managing Director Sylvance Sange says.

KIPI charges Sh12,000 to register a trademark and Moi paid a total of Sh540,000 for the exclusive rights since he registered the name Kabarak in 45 categories. Currently, there are 114,445 registered trademarks in Kenya.

“Third parties are prevented from using or marketing similar goods or services having similar names or marks without the express permission of the trademark owner,” says Sange.

Kabarak High School, Kabarak University and Kabarak farms are owned by Moi.