A Kenyan lady on Monday, April 22, took to social media to reveal that she had secured a shoe patent in the United States after a five-year wait.
Identified as Njira Njeri, the Kenyan from Kiambu County hailed the milestone noting that it was one of her life's highlights.
Njeri had applied for a patent to protect her shoe design in California.
“It is my pleasure to congratulate you on the granting of your patent,” a letter from Andy Emerick, President of Patent Awards, read in part.
Explaining her remarkable journey, Njeri credited her mother for instilling in her the belief that she could conquer the world.
“I was lucky to have a mother who instilled in me the belief that I was the greatest, no matter what. That mindset truly helped me, especially when I found myself in a bustling American high school,” she stated.
She added that this was the first of several patents she was seeking to secure in the United States.
Njeri revealed that the shoes were not yet available in the Kenyan market.
On why she decided to patent the shoe design, Njeri explained, “We have to do stuff by the books and secure any idea before someone comes to take it.”
She added that one of her ways to make sure she succeeded in the fashion industry was to continue producing perfection.
After receiving the patent number, she explained that she would soon start selling her product.
In the United States, a patent ensures that no competitor will commercially exploit your invention for 20 years from the date of filing of the patent application.
In Kenya, patent applications are made to the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).
