Sh100 million counterfeit goods seized in one month

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has seized counterfeit goods worth over Sh100 million in the last thirty days.

The goods seized are electrical appliances, digital TV antennas, motor vehicle spare parts, sportswear and equipment of premium trademarks, and toners among others

According to ACA chairperson Flora Mutahi, most of the illicit goods up to 70 percent find their way to the local market through sea port impacting the economy negatively.

Last weekend, a 40-foot container of fake circuit breakers imported from China valued at approximately Sh10 million was seized.

“Most of the fake goods are imports and enter the country mainly through the main Port of Mombasa which is Kilindini Port, the Container Freight Stations (CFS’s) in Mombasa and the Inland Container Depot Nairobi (ICDN) located in Embakasi,” said Ms Mutahi.

The counterfeit goods that are mostly imported from the Far East countries are a big threat to the achievement of the manufacturing and job creation pillar of the president Uhuru’s Big Four Agenda.

{ Read: Cooking oil industry soars on counterfeit crackdown }

The sub-standard goods however, can cause health issues to innocent consumers and adverse environment safety.

Research carried out by the agency revealed that there is a high tie-in between illicit trade and slowed economic growth, development of local industry as well as unemployment rates.

Illegal trade crimes are also related to other crimes such bribery, money laundering, terror funding and tax evasion.

Ms Mutahi assured traders and the public that they have put measures to curb all forms of illicit trade in the interest of promoting a fair-trade environment and protect the rights of genuine traders.

{ See also: Three easy ways to spot a counterfeit Kenya shilling note }