Kenyan comedian and actor David Mwabili, widely known as Inspector Mwala, has reportedly initiated a KSh163 million legal dispute against The Coca-Cola Company and comedian Jacky Vike, popularly known as Awinja, over a recent advertising campaign.
At the centre of the dispute is the “ka-mwala” promotional campaign, which Mwabili argues closely resembles his long-established stage name “Mwala,” a brand he says he has built over decades in the entertainment industry.
He further claims to have previously secured rights associated with the name, which he believes strengthens his position in the case.
Inspector Mwala files KSh163 Million lawsuit over ‘Ka-Mwala’ Coca-Cola campaign. Photo: Courtesy.
According to Mwabili, the use of “ka-mwala” in commercial advertising featuring Awinja amounts to an infringement on his personal brand identity.
He maintains that the similarity is likely to mislead the public by creating confusion between the campaign and his established persona in the media and entertainment space.
The comedian contends that his name carries significant commercial value built through years of television appearances and public performances, and therefore should not be used in marketing without proper authorization or agreement.
The dispute is expected to raise broader questions around intellectual property rights in the creative and advertising industries, particularly where stage names and branding overlap with commercial campaigns.
Neither The Coca-Cola Company nor Awinja had issued a public response at the time of reporting, leaving the matter to proceed through legal channels.
Inspector Mwala remains one of Kenya’s most recognizable comedy figures, known for his long-running television role and his strong presence in local entertainment.
