The National Super Alliance (NASA), has been thrown off balance after an individual obtained the trademark and exclusive rights to the acronym NASA.
In a letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the accrediting body, Kenya Industry Property Institute (KIPI), approved a local NGO to have a trademark for the acronym NASA.
KIPI directed the individual to pay Ksh5,000 for advertisement after the body examined and approved his application.
This development comes in the wake of another lawsuit by the Northern Advocacy for Sustainable Agriculture against the four NASA co-principals - Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi.
The NGO, under a certificate of urgency, asked the High Court to block the four politicians from even uttering the name ‘NASA’ saying that it was only entitled to enjoy its exclusive use and operations to the exclusion of the politicians.
Through its lawyer Sam Ogutu, the NGO had insisted that it owned the rights to the name having been registered before the formation of the political umbrella that brought together the four leaders.
Ogutu had argued that the NGO had invested heavily in the promotion of its flag and brand and was a fully operational and registered entity.
NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi had earlier dismissed the claims by the NGO as propaganda out to distract it from its goal to unseat the Jubilee party
It is however not clear what action the Opposition outfit plans to take in the wake of mounting challenges to their claim and usage as a political party and slogan in rallies.
