The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has seized counterfeit goods worth over Kshs 100 million in the last one month in various parts of the country.
This includes electrical appliances, sportswear and equipment’s of premium trademarks, motor vehicle spare parts, digital TV antennas and toners among others most of them from the far East Countries.
Among the seized goods was a 40-foot container of fake circuit breakers imported from China valued at over Kshs 10 million seized on Saturday 4th May.
Speaking earlier on Monday during an Inspection Tour of the ICDN, ACA Chair Ms. Flora Mutahi highlighted the negative effects of illicit and counterfeit trade on the economy.
ACA Executive Director, Mr. Elema Halake 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.
“As an Authority, we are strengthening our capacity to detect counterfeits at the Ports of entry through use of modern technology and automation as well as leveraging multi-agency collaboration approaches, which are bearing fruit”, added Mr. Halake.
He also underscored ACA’s commitment to protecting the rights of brand owners by ensuring compliance with the legal framework.