President William Ruto has registered the ‘Mambo ni Matatu’ phrase that translates to ‘things are three’ as a trademark, making it his intellectual property. 

Therefore, anybody who seeks to use the ‘Mambo ni Matatu’ phrase alongside gesturing the three fingers, must first get permission from President Ruto. 

This was after the president’s lawyer Adrian Kamotho announced on Wednesday, October 11, that the head of state has acquired rights to own the phrase. 

“Registration of this mark shall give no right to the exclusive use of the numeral ‘3’ and the device of ‘human fingers’ per se each separately and apart from the mark as a whole,” read a notice from Kamotho.

READ ALSO: Mambo ni matatu declaration lands Ruto in court

The phrase became popular among Kenyans towards the end of August 2023 following president Ruto’s stern warning to cartels in the sugar sector.

At that time, President Ruto had explained that some individuals were hindering the government’s plan to revive Mumias Sugar Company.

As a result, the president offered three options to alleged cartels including fleeing the country, going to jail, or going to heaven. 

READ ALSO:ODM’s Onyonka slams President Ruto over ‘harsh’ threats to sugar cartels

“I have told all those people to get out. That company (Mumias Sugar) is a public company, and we will reorganize it. 

There are only three options; either leave Kenya, end up in jail or go to heaven,” President Ruto said during his tour in Kakamega County.

READ ALSO: Mambo ni matatu: President Ruto insists there is no room for the corrupt

The ‘Mambo ni Matatu’ declaration caused an uproar in the country as Azimio leaders and the civil society demanded that the president withdraw the statement and apologize. 

Ruto’s critics noted that the president’s remarks were a threat to investors in the country. 

However, Ruto emphasized that he was not threatening anybody but he was only explaining what the government was planning to do.