Kenya seized counterfeit goods worth over 100 million shillings (1 million U.S. dollars) in April in various parts of the country, officials of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) announced on Monday.
Flora Mutahi, ACA chairperson, said most of the counterfeit goods are imports and entered the country through the sea ports, with over 70 percent of the fake goods passing through the main port of Mombasa.
“Left unchecked, illicit trade is the biggest threat to attainment of the manufacturing and job creation pillar of the government’s Big Four Agenda. We are committed towards safeguarding the interests of genuine traders, hence the increased efforts to curb illicit trade,” Mutahi said.
The merchandise included electrical appliances, sportswear and equipment of premium trademarks, motor vehicle spare parts, digital TV antennas and toners among others.
Elema Halake, ACA executive director, said that unscrupulous investors are increasingly changing tact and are now involved at several points across the supply chain from manufacturing, importation, distribution, wholesale and retail.
To curb this, he revealed that the authority was investing in technology to increase efficiency, in line with its mandate of protection of intellectual property owners. Enditem
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