Veteran Kenyan comedian Davis Mwabili Hezron, popularly known as Inspekta Mwala, has moved to court accusing beverage giant Coca-Cola and actress Jacky Vike of trademark infringement.
In a Notice of Motion filed at the High Court, Mwabili is seeking urgent orders against Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Limited and Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya Limited, alongside Vike, over the use of the phrase “ka-mwala” in the company’s “Kachingching na Coke” campaign.
Court documents indicate that Mwabili argues the term “ka-mwala” is confusingly similar to his registered trademark “Mwala,” which he says has been part of his identity since the 1990s and formally registered in 2010.
The comedian maintains that the name is deeply tied to his brand through productions such as Vitimbi and the long-running show Inspekta Mwala, aired on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Citizen TV respectively.
Dispute Linked to Promotional Campaign
The legal dispute stems from a promotional video shared by Vike in May 2024, where the phrase “ka-mwala” was used to refer to a 200ml Coca-Cola soda bottle.
Mwabili argues that the term is both phonetically and conceptually similar to his trademark, potentially misleading the public into believing he is affiliated with the campaign. He claims that some fans have already sought clarification on whether he is part of the promotion.
The “Kachingching na Coke” campaign, launched in May 2024, reportedly featured cash prizes totaling Ksh.163 million and leaned heavily on influencer-driven digital marketing, with Vike among its key promoters.
Mwabili argues that unless the court intervenes, the continued use of the disputed term risks eroding the distinctiveness of his trademark while allowing the respondents to benefit commercially from his established reputation.
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