A multi agency team dealing with counterfeit goods have seized fakes worth Sh8.5 billion since May to October.
According to the Anti-Counterfeit Agency Chief Executive Officer Elema Halake, as part of the fight against illegal trade, ACA alone has seized counterfeit goods worth Sh1.8 billion with more than 200 suspects facing charges.
Most of the goods seized were household appliances, foodstuff, vehicle spare parts, cooking gas, cigarettes and textiles.
While addressing the media on Thursday at Prideinn Hotel in Diani during a workshop on combating counterfeit goods, Mr Halake said “The counterfeit and illicit goods are not only dangerous to people’s health, but also affect the business of local manufacturers.” he said,
He further added saying, that the war will help the country to achieve the Big Four Agenda.
He said lot of manufacturing industries are running out of business because of the effect of the influx of counterfeit goods. “We are here to promote and facilitate legitimate trade such that the business taking place in our country is legitimate and products which are going to be sold in our markets are safe for the people and our country,” he said.
In addition the Energy Regulatory Commission Director-General Pavi Oimeke said they are working with Kenya Bureau of Standards to ensure substandard gas cylinders either imported or manufactured in the country are eliminated.
In his statement he said, “The government is aware that illicit gas which does not meet the market standards is illegally transported to the country through the porous borders.”
He told the public to exercise caution when buying gas cylinders and check the expiry date. “Our standards require that a gas cylinder which is more than eight years old must be taken back to the brand owner and revalidated,” he said.
In august President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the destruction of Sh1.5 billion illicit goods in Machakos.
Where he warned leaders not to politicise the fight against corruption, impunity and economic crimes.
The head of state further said that he was not intimidated neither scared, threatened or side-tracked in his determination to clean the country.
He warned that no corrupt individual will be spared irrespective of their real or perceived seniority in society.
“All corrupt people will go to jail without compromise. But due process of the law will be followed so that those who think they have been wrongly accused can demonstrate their innocence and be vindicated,” the Head of State said.
The President told senior managers in government institutions to carry their own cross whenever caught in corrupt dealings. He said they should stop passing the buck to their juniors.
Uhuru appealed to all the 47 governors to follow his example and rid the counties of corruption.