FAKES: WHY VIGILANCE IS THE BEST GIFT THIS EASTER

By Robi M. King’a

Easter is a season of profound significance defined by faith, reflection, and the warmth of family reunions. As we prepare for these festivities, a shadow often looms over the marketplace as unscrupulous counterfeiters view this season of celebration through a lens of cold opportunism.

Whenever demand for household essentials like food, beverages, cosmetics, and clothing spikes, the "shadow market" of counterfeits thrives.

This Easter, we must remember that intellectual property is not just a legal concept for boardrooms but a vital shield for every Kenyan consumer. It is the invisible thread woven into the fabric of our daily lives, from the trademark that ensures your cooking oil is refined to safety standards to the copyright that protects the hymns filling our churches.

When these rights are infringed, the consequences go far beyond lost revenue for businesses; in the food and beverage sector, deception can be deadly. Counterfeiters exploit the trust we place in familiar logos by repackaging substandard or contaminated goods in "look-alike" containers. Our recent findings reveal a staggering reality where roughly one in every five products on the Kenyan market is counterfeit.

The scale of this threat is not theoretical, as evidenced by recent enforcement operations. In late 2025, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority led a multi-agency operation in Mombasa that uncovered a syndicate involving counterfeit cooking oil valued at approximately Ksh 100 million, while similar interceptions of Ksh 3 million worth of sugar in Malindi reminds us that these counterfeit goods easily find their way into ordinary homes.

Kenya is at a turning point. For the first time since independence, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has developed the proposed National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, which recognizes these rights as strategic national assets central to our manufacturing agenda and the protection of our local innovators. However, enforcement and policy are only two legs of the stool; the third leg is the consumer.

Counterfeiters rely heavily on "festive fatigue," which is that moment when a shopper, pressed for time and hunting for a bargain, stops checking the fine print. As we head into this long weekend, let us all exercise a sense of responsibility and caution by shopping with intention. We must be cautious not to consume counterfeit alcohol and other luxury products.

Choosing genuine products is an act of national duty that supports honest traders who sell genuine products, play by the rules and pay their taxes. We must protect our families by sourcing goods from reputable retailers, questioning prices that seem too good to be true, and scrutinizing packaging for tampered seals or spelling errors. Genuine manufacturers invest heavily in quality and compliance, and every time you reject a fake, you are voting for a safer and more prosperous Kenya. There is nothing festive about stolen creativity or deceptive trade, and this season should instead be marked by the values of truth and integrity. As we celebrate this time of renewal, let us ensure that our tables are spread with goods that are as authentic as the faith we celebrate. Easter must remain a season of genuine celebration and communal joy, rather than a marketplace for fakes that undermine our health and economy.

While all others celebrate Easter, ACA will remain vigilant on any instances of counterfeiting. This is,  a stern warning on counterfeiters who plan to maximize on the weekend; and a call to the supply chain players and the consumers. ACA is at the service of our country- Kenya, and will not hesitate to take action at any time of day or night. I wish all a blessed Easter Holiday.

The Writer is the Executive Director, Anti-Counterfeit Authority