Comedian Davis Mwabili Hezron, popularly known as Inspekta Mwala, has moved to the High Court seeking to stop Coca-Cola from using the phrase “ka-mwala” in its ongoing promotional campaign.
In the case, Mwabili has sued Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Limited, Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya Limited, and influencer-comedian Jacky Vike. He is asking the court to issue urgent orders barring the respondents from using the term “ka-mwala” in advertisements linked to the “Kachingching na Coke” campaign.
According to court filings, Mwabili argues that “ka-mwala” is confusingly similar to his registered trademark “Mwala,” a name he says has defined his comedy brand since the 1990s and was formally registered in 2010. He claims the phrase, used in a promotional video circulated online, is likely to mislead the public into believing he is associated with the campaign.
The suit points to a video published in May 2024 featuring Jacky Vike, where the term “ka-mwala” is used to describe a 200ml Coca-Cola bottle. Mwabili says the similarity in sound and meaning has already caused confusion among his fans, some of whom have allegedly reached out to ask whether he is part of the promotion. He maintains that his long-standing presence in Kenyan entertainment, including appearances on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Citizen TV, has made the “Mwala” brand widely recognizable.
Through the application, he is seeking temporary orders to stop further use of the term, removal of all related content from digital platforms, and disclosure of profits earned from the campaign. He also wants the court to issue additional orders to protect his intellectual property rights, arguing that continued use of the phrase will unfairly benefit the respondents while diluting his brand.
The “Kachingching na Coke” campaign, launched in May 2024, reportedly features influencer-driven marketing and offers cash prizes running into millions of shillings, making it one of the most visible recent promotions in the local market.
