Another Success in the Fight against Counterfeiting 

Mombasa, 13th, September 2019. 

Sustaining its gains in intellectual property rights enforcement, thousands of counterfeit goods were destroyed this morning by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority in the coastal city of Mombasa Kenya. This is one of the one of its biggest condemnations of confiscated smuggled products this year in the area. 

The Chair of the Board of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Ms. Flora Mutahi said the condemned goods worth at least Ksh 4.9 M consisted of various items ranging from fast moving consumer goods like mobile phones, electrical goods, clothing, cosmetics and apparel and stationery, which were replicas of popular local and international brands. This is in violation of the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008 law of Kenya. 

Ms. Mutahi added that “this is proof of the Authority’s seriousness to rid the local market of counterfeit products” She expressed confidence that the series of high-profile seizures being carried out by the Authority would go a long way in planting the seed of fear and uncertainty in the hearts and minds of counterfeiters. 

“We now have a road map to implement through National Action Plan against illicit trade. As a board, are at front to make sure this plan is implemented. It is a dynamic plan that incorporates the private sectors to assist in law enforcement and consumer awareness programs to cut the demand side of counterfeiting. 

By destroying these products the Authority want to express the its commitment in protection of Intellectual Property Rights through the legal and institutional frameworks to fight counterfeits to encourage investors. With increased investors, Kenya will definitely have a strong growing economy, employment and development.  

Meanwhile the Authority is raising a red flag on storage of goods suspected of infringing intellectual property (IP) rights, and their sound disposal, once the infringement has been confirmed. Disposal process involves costs and represents major logistical challenges to IP enforcement. There are the costs associated with collecting, transporting, cataloging, storing and finally, destroying large quantities of counterfeit goods. 

We are calling out to stakeholders especially the brand owners to share knowledge, offer assistance, and collaborate with us to achieve an environmentally friendly disposal and destruction. Additionally, and where necessary to provide both financial and logistical support to ensure the safe disposal of infringing goods contravening their brands.