TENP Marks World Intellectual Property Day with Focus on Innovation in Sports

The Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) on Tuesday, May 27, 2026, joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Intellectual Property Day, hosting this year’s celebrations at its main campus under the global theme “IP and Sports: Ready, Set and Innovative.”

The event brought together senior government officials, industry stakeholders, and representatives from key institutions in the intellectual property sector, underscoring the growing link between innovation, creativity, and sports development.

TENP Chief Principal, Dr. Charles Koech (OGW), warmly received the distinguished guests at his office before the commencement of the official programme, setting the tone for a day centered on collaboration, innovation, and policy dialogue.

The visiting delegation was led by the Administration Secretary in the State Department of Industry, Mr. Karanja Njora, who represented the Principal Secretary, Dr. Juma Mukhwana. Mr. Njora officially signed the visitors’ book upon arrival, marking the start of the engagement.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included the Chairman of the TENP Council, Dr. Paul Murgor; Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) Board Member, Ms. Evelyne Mbaabu; Ministry of Sports official, Mr. Kipchumba Ruto; and KIPI Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Stephen Ngeno.

The discussions and commemorative activities centered on the importance of intellectual property rights in fostering innovation, particularly within the sports industry. Speakers emphasized that sports today extend beyond physical performance, increasingly relying on technology, branding, data analytics, and creative content—all of which fall under intellectual property protection.

Mr. Njora, representing the government, highlighted the need for stronger awareness and enforcement of intellectual property rights to protect innovators, athletes, and creative industries from exploitation. He noted that Kenya continues to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, and IP protection remains a key pillar in achieving that goal.

TENP leadership reiterated the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation among students and staff, noting that technical and vocational training institutions play a critical role in transforming ideas into commercially viable solutions.

Dr. Koech emphasized that TVET institutions are no longer just centers of skills training but are increasingly becoming incubators of innovation, entrepreneurship, and research. He added that strengthening intellectual property awareness among trainees will empower them to protect and commercialize their ideas effectively.

The event also highlighted the intersection between sports and innovation, with stakeholders noting that modern sports development increasingly relies on intellectual property assets such as sports technology, performance-enhancing equipment, digital platforms, and media rights.

Participants called for closer collaboration between government agencies, training institutions, and industry players to ensure that innovations developed within Kenya’s education system are properly protected and scaled to benefit the economy.

The celebration at TENP underscored the institution’s growing role in national and global innovation conversations, particularly within the TVET sector. It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting intellectual property as a driver of economic growth, creativity, and competitiveness.

As the event concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism that continued collaboration between institutions such as TENP, KIPI, and the Ministry of Industry and Sports would strengthen Kenya’s innovation ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for young innovators across the country.