The battle for the Kenyan breakfast table has moved to the corridors of justice. Unga Limited, one of the country's oldest millers, has dragged Nanyuki-based Daiga Millers to court, accusing them of hijacking its "Hodari" trademark to dupe consumers.

In a commercial dispute that highlights the fierce competition in the maize flour market, Unga Limited claims that Daiga Millers is exploiting the reputation of its established brand to sell their own products. The legal suit seeks to stop the Nanyuki firm from using the name "Hodari," arguing it causes confusion and dilutes Unga's market share.

Protecting the Brand

Unga Limited asserts that they have invested millions in building the "Hodari" brand identity. By using a deceptively similar name, they argue, Daiga is taking a shortcut to market relevance at Unga's expense. "This is not just about a name; it is about the integrity of the product on the shelf," a source close to the case revealed.

• Infringement Claims: The suit alleges deliberate trademark infringement, with Unga seeking damages and an immediate injunction against Daiga Millers.
• Market Stakes: With margins in the milling industry razor-thin, brand loyalty is a miller's most valuable asset. Allowing a competitor to ride on a trademark is a financial risk Unga is not willing to take.

The Legal Showdown

The case is set to test Kenya’s intellectual property laws. If Unga wins, it sends a warning shot to regional millers; if Daiga prevails, it could blow the market wide open for look-alike brands. For now, the "Hodari" brand remains in legal limbo, with the court set to decide who truly owns the right to the name.

As the legal teams sharpen their arguments, the real verdict will be delivered by consumers in the supermarket aisles.