Inspekta Mwala Sues Coca-Cola, Awinja Over ‘Ka-Mwala’ Campaign in Trademark Dispute
Comedian Inspekta Mwala. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Veteran comedian Davis Mwabili Hezron, widely known as Inspekta Mwala, has moved to court seeking to block what he terms as unauthorized use of his trademark in a commercial campaign linked to Coca-Cola.
In a Notice of Motion filed before the High Court, Mwabili accuses Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Limited, Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya Limited, and actress Jacky Vike (popularly known as Awinja) of trademark infringement.
The comedian is seeking urgent court orders to stop the use of the phrase “ka-mwala” in advertisements associated with the “Kachingching na Coke” campaign.
According to court documents, Mwabili argues that the phrase “ka-mwala” is “confusingly similar” to his registered trademark “Mwala,” a name he says has been central to his brand since the 1990s and was officially registered in 2010.
He maintains that the term is closely tied to his identity through productions such as *Vitimbi* and *Inspekta Mwala*, and its use in the campaign risks misleading the public.
The dispute stems from a promotional video shared by Vike in May 2024 across social media platforms, where the term “ka-mwala” was used to refer to a 200ml Coca-Cola soda bottle.
Mwabili contends that the wording is “phonetically and conceptually similar” to his trademark and could create the impression that he is affiliated with the product.
He further claims that the campaign has already caused confusion among his fans, some of whom have reportedly sought clarification on whether he is involved in the promotion.
Through the application, the comedian is seeking temporary injunctions to halt the use of the phrase, the removal of all related promotional content online, and an account of profits generated from the campaign.
He also wants the court to issue additional orders to protect his intellectual property rights, arguing that continued use of the term could allow the respondents to benefit commercially from his established brand while weakening its distinctiveness.
The “Kachingching na Coke” campaign, launched in May 2024, reportedly featured influencer-driven marketing and offered cash prizes totaling Ksh.163 million.
The case is expected to test the boundaries of trademark protection in Kenya’s entertainment and advertising sectors.
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