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News and Events

Ms. Flora Mutahi - Chairperson, Anti-Counterfeit Authority

Christmas and new year festivities provide an opportunity for families and friends to come together. They are occasions when families exchange gifts, purchase a variety of items for domestic use and for get-together parties. People generally visit supermarkets, shopping malls and other retail outlets to buy products of their choice. The volume of goods purchased and consumed peaks during this period. Immediately after the new year festivities, children return to school and parents once again engage in purchase of various return-to-school items such as textbooks and other forms of stationery. 

Demand for fast moving goods is always at its highest peak during this holiday season. With increased demand, there is the usual necessity to supply goods to meet the demand. Counterfeiters take advantage of the heightened demand to fill the gap by supplying counterfeit goods in the market. This is therefore a critical time for all of us to be extra vigilant not to fall prey to the purchase and consumption of counterfeit goods.

ACA Embarks on Uniform Refresh in its Re-Branding Strategy Towards the Improved Corporate Image

We’re living in a culture based on first impressions and as a government agency committed to improved service delivery, it is important to make our corporate image stand out in the crowd as an agency that delivers. Improved organization image is a reflection of how it is regarded by its multiple stakeholders and a sure bet towards improved reputation.  

In the last two years, the Authority embarked on a re-branding mission to ensure a positive perception of its brand. This followed the transitioning of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency to an Authority after the enactment of the miscellaneous Amendment Bill of the Anti-Counterfeit Act in 2018. The re-branding borrowed a lot from the previous brand manual taking into consideration the ethos and culture of the Authority with an overall objective of improving its corporate reputation. 

ACA Participates in 2021 Legal Awareness Week

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority participated in this year’s legal awareness week that was organized by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) from 25th to 29th of October 2021 at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.  

During the opening ceremony, the Chairperson of the LSK Nairobi branch, Mr. Erick Theuri said the objective of the legal awareness week was to “promote the mandate of the Law Society of Kenya by extending legal literacy and awareness to members of the public”. It also involves organizations that are involved in provision of legal work to show-case their services by explaining their mandates.

WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY 2021!

THEME: SAFE FOOD TODAY FOR A HEALTHY TOMORROW

On Monday, 7th June 2021 Kenya and the world over marked the World Food Safety Day (WFSD). In the commemoration webinar, Mr. Rikki Agudah, the CEO, Society of Crop Agribusiness Advisors of Kenya (SOCAA) reiterated that; ‘everyone is a consumer, and all of us need to take ownership in the food safety issues by working towards solutions.’ In heeding to this call the Anti-Counterfeit Authority joins the organizers of the WFSD, 2021 in the theme and rallying call of the day, SAFE FOOD TODAY FOR A HEALTHY TOMORROW!

The commemoration was aimed at drawing attention and inspiring action to help prevent, detect and manage food borne risks, contribute to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. The theme, ‘Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow’, demonstrates that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people, the planet and the economy. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that there is a systemic connection between the health of people, animals, plants, the environment and the economy. This nexus helps us to meet the needs of the day and of the future.

Combating counterfeiting and related forms of illicit trade in the agricultural sector would greatly enhance food safety and security by partially addressing the perennial food scarcity in the country that for a long time has been affecting Kenyans. Food Security is at the heart of Government policies being one of the Big Four Agenda. Higher agricultural output means higher incomes for farmers and food resilience in Kenyans’ households. Curbing counterfeiting in the food production chain contributes to food safety and security, since the use of counterfeit inputs may lead to chemical residues and other harmful deposits and contaminants where ingredients and or packaging of pesticides and other inputs used are compromised. Counterfeit seeds and pesticides lead to low productivity in agriculture in both quantities and quality.

In February and March 2021, the Authority conducted an intensive county based farmers’ sensitization and outreach program in Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties, the country’s food basket. The program objective being empowering farmers with information for better vigilance and reporting on counterfeit agricultural inputs, towards enhancing crops and livestock production. The outreach activities addressed the market flows of counterfeits and illicit agricultural inputs, which continue to pose a risk to food safety and security in the country. These subsequently deny farmers of the expected output in quantity and quality of their agricultural endeavors.

The production and consumption of safe food have immediate and long-term benefits for people, the economy and the planet. The availability of safe and healthy food for all can be sustained into the future by embracing digital innovations, advancing scientific solutions as well as honoring traditional knowledge that has stood the test of time; additionally, the food system needs to produce enough safe food for all Kenyans.  

Processed food is among the most counterfeited products in the market. These include milk and milk products, bottled water, packaged foods e.g. cereals, honey, spices and other additives, oils, juices and alcoholic beverages among others. Generally, counterfeit food is made with no regard for safety standards, quality or efficiency; it may contain correct ingredients but varying quantities or may be lacking important ingredients; yet the trademarks e.g. the trade names used are deceptively similar to the genuine one. This form of counterfeiting is also common in fertilizers, seeds, herbicides and pesticides, all important inputs in the food production cycle.

Counterfeiting may also be through manufacture of similar product and adoption of the known protected intellectual property or by packaging of counterfeit product in genuine materials. Counterfeiting of food and beverages is a problem that has escalated alongside growth of global marketing channels and distribution of genuine products, that also opens doors to unscrupulous manufacturers and traders.

The Authority supports initiatives towards global food safety and works tirelessly to enforce the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008. Food related seizures by ACA enforcement valued at Kshs. 4,843,940.00 in the year 2020. This includes foliar feeds, herbicides, and seed, as well as processed foods like additives.  ACA continues to pursue collaborative partnerships in awareness programs and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This enhances health and safety of consumers through seizures and deterrent measures that prevent counterfeits from finding their way into the market or at the consumers’ door step.

The Authority encourages the manufacturers and industrialists, ranging from MSMEs to Multinationals, to protect their intellectual property, and collaborate with ACA in surveillance, inspections and seizures of infringing products. ACA also continues to engage, the entire supply chain players and consumers for sensitizations and intelligence gathering as appropriate. Food safety is a shared responsibility between Governments, producers and consumers. Everyone has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and healthy. Let us join hands to curb counterfeiting towards food safety and security in our country. We at the Authority are committed to playing our part in ensuring no food related counterfeits find their way into the Kenyan market.

DATE: THURSDAY, 24TH JUNE 2021

THEME: SAY NO TO COUNTERFEITS AND RELATED FORMS OF ILLICIT TRADE FOR THE HEALTH & SAFETY OF KENYANS!

 

The World Anti-Counterfeit Day (WACD) is commemorated by Intellectual Property (IP) enforcement agencies all over the world in the month of June. WACD was initiated in 1998 by the Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) to facilitate information exchange and sharing of best practices in raising awareness against trade in counterfeit products. Kenya through ACA is one of the few African countries who are members. Intellectual Property (IP) enforcement agencies participate in various joint enforcement and awareness activities to solve international IP rights enforcement challenges. Illicit trade owes its existence and growth to the prevailing economic market dynamics with unscrupulous traders on the supply side and consumers who are deceived with cheap seemingly genuine products. Illicit trade continues to be an impediment to business growth and consumer well-being in Kenya.

The National Baseline Survey on counterfeit and other forms of illicit trade conducted by ACA reported that the total size of illicit trade in 2018 in Kenya was Kshs 826 billion. In support of the Universal Health Care Agenda of the National big 4 Agenda; the Authority in collaboration with its multi-agency anti-illicit trade partners seized counterfeit products that may pose a risk to the health and safety of the people- valued at approximately Kshs 20 million. These illicit products included face masks, hand sanitizers, edible oils, meat, detergents, drugs, cosmetics and oral care. The Covid‑19 pandemic imposed lockdowns and restriction of movement resulted in the rise of online shopping further increasing the sale of counterfeit and illicit products. Online sales have made counterfeiting harder to detect as the consumers are unable to interact and interrogate products before purchase.

The Authority has commemorated this event yearly since 2011, mainly to highlight its’ efforts and milestones in the fight against trade in counterfeit products.  This year, the GACG commemorated the WACD 2021 on 8th June 2021; the Authority (ACA) commemorates this important event on Thursday, 24th June 2021 with a hybrid sensitization forum at the College of Insurance - South C, Nairobi County and that will be running online. The forum features our Multi-Agency Anti-Illicit Trade Outreach (MAAITO) Partners, representatives from the Nairobi County National and County Government and IP experts from the Private Sector.

 

Participants can follow proceedings live on TV47 or via Zoom. Click on the link to register for the zoom webinar

 

 

VIRTUAL SENSITIZATION OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) OWNERS AND SUPPLY CHAIN PLAYERS IN THE ALCOHOL SECTOR – NAIROBI COUNTY   

Trade plays a pivotal role in the economic development, employment and wealth creation in Kenya. The infiltration of counterfeit products compromises the role of trade as an engine of economic development in the country. Genuine and original products and brands are competed out of the market by counterfeit products and illicit products. Counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade continue to obstruct the growth of business and adversely affect the health and safety of consumers, especially true with the proliferation of counterfeit and illicit alcohol beverages. The growth of the alcoholic beverages sector is driven by an increase in the popularity of alcohol consumption particularly among young adults and rise in consumer demand for premium alcoholic products. The Kenya alcohol sector continues to flourish evidenced by the numerous alcohol-manufacturing companies complimented with as many distributors, retailers, hotels, restaurants and clubs. Cases of counterfeit and illicit brews have been on the Government’s radar since 2015 when ACA was appointed to the rapid results initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National government. The initiative sought to crack down illicit brews in the Central region and Nairobi area, which are said to be centers of illegal alcohol manufacture.

His Excellency the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta declared war on illegally - brewed alcohol, leading to revocation of licenses of many outlets and destruction of stocks of the illicit alcoholic beverages. The Authority’s efforts complimented by the Multi-Agency enforcement team have made great strides in this war against illicit alcohol netting large amounts of illicit alcoholic beverages after inspection of several depots and outlets.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and subsequent precautions may have raised the possibility of consumption of alcoholic beverages following the lockdown and curfew restrictions through online purchases. Distributors, retailers and home-delivery services are thriving as consumers have shifted their alcoholic beverages purchasing habits leading to the steady increase of the sale of counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages over the past year. Kenyans have embraced electronic commerce with majority of products and services available online. To address the upsurge of the sale of counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages, ACA is undertaking a series of interactive engagements and sensitization forums to raise awareness against counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages.

 

Click on the link to register for the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 15th June 2021 from 0900hrs to 1300hrs. 

Fighting the Good Fight: Farmers urged to join the war against counterfeit agro-inputs

Counterfeit Agro-Inputs a threat to farmer livelihoods, food security and sustainable agriculture

Over the years, the agricultural sector remains the undisputed backbone of the Kenyan economy generating a third of Kenya's GDP and accounting for 60% of the exports. The sector employs more than 40% of the total working population and accounting for about 70% of informal employment in the rural areas. But despite being the mainstay of the Kenyan economy, it has not been performing to its full potential due to a number of challenges.

Counterfeit 3M Co. N95 Face Masks Worth Ksh 21 Million Seized in a Leading Hospital in Nairobi

ACA announces on-going crackdown to stop counterfeit facemasks from reaching first responders and hospital workers. 

Anti-Counterfeit Authority Inspectors have seized approximately 20,000 counterfeit face masks bearing the 3M Co. logo of a retail value of KSH 21 million. The raid at a leading hospital in Nairobi followed a tip-off by hospital officials about a suspicious supply by a company named John Gray Ltd.   

Hospital officials said the consignment was delivered to the hospital earlier this month and failed internal and quality and standard tests at the facility. The goods made in China marked one of the biggest single seizures of personal protective equipment since COVID 19 pandemic began. 

Counterfeit Alcoholic Beverage Products Seized In Turkana County

LODWAR, 27th of Aril 2021; A multi-agency operation comprising of ACA, DCI, KRA, and KEBS officers confiscated 3013 boxes of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages of known Kenyan brand worth Kshs 10M in Lodwar in Turkana County. The products were seized from two business entities known as leading conduits and distributors of counterfeit products in the region. The goods were seized in the distributors who are alleged to get supplies from Nairobi before getting to the retail market.

Two suspects were arrested and booked at Lodwar police station and will be arraigned in court upon full investigations. The seized counterfeit products were taken to the Eldoret Counterfeit Depot awaiting appropriate investigations including sample testing to establish their contents.

ACA Commemorates World Intellectual Property Day 2021 through Online Webinars

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority commemorated the World Intellectual Property Day on April 26 2021 by bringing together IP enthusiasts in two webinars on the role played by intellectual property (IP) rights in encouraging innovation and creativity.

This year’s commemorations are happening during the current unprecedented times of COVID 19 Pandemic that limited physical commemorations as has been happening in the years before. The free to enter webinars one in partnership with JGIP Consultants, a Kenyan IP law firm and the other in conjunction with Kenya Industrial Property Institute drew over hundred online participants.

Stakeholder Sensitization and Farmer’s Open Day in North Rift (Uasin-Gishu and Trans-Nzoia Counties)

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority under the umbrella of the Multi-Agency Anti-Illicit Trade Outreach ( MAAITO) has partnered with Agrochemicals Association of Kenya, Fertlizer Association of Kenya and the Seed Traders Association of Kenya to a stakeholder sensitization and Farmers open days

The events start in Kitale town on the 23rd Feb 2021 with stakeholders’ sensitization forum at Kitale Golf Club and farmer Open Day & Exhibition on ASK Show ground on 23rd and 24th February 2021. The Uasin Gishu county stakeholders’ sensitization forum will be held at the Sirikwa Hotel on the 25th February 2021 and farmer open day & exhibition on 25th and 26 at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute Grounds, Eldoret.

National Baseline Survey - Extent of Counterfeit and Other Forms of Illicit Trade in Kenya

The Anti Counterfeit Authority undertook a National Baseline Survey on Counterfeit and other Forms of Illicit Trade in Kenya in partnership with TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) through funding from the Department for International Development (DFID). The study was achieved through collaborative efforts of several players in the public, private and development sectors, which are supportive of the fight against illicit trade in Kenya. The study highlights the extent (magnitude, level and prevalence) of counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade in Kenya and proposes key recommendations for stakeholders’ consideration.

 

Click on the link to download the National Baseline Survey On The Extent Of Counterfeit And Other Forms Of Illicit Trade In Kenya report.

Click on the link to visit the National Observatory on Illicit Trade Dashboard.

Africa Industrialization Day (AID) 2020, ACA Post-Event Message

THEME: INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIALIZATION IN ACFTA AND COVID-19 ERA

The theme 2020 Africa Industrialization Day (AID), ‘Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization in ACFTA and Covid-19 Era’, resonates very well with the mandate of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya. Counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade are a threat to the realization of sustainable industrialization and development in Kenya, other African countries and globally.

The AID marked on 20th November was a culmination of the Africa Industrialization Week (AIW) of 16th to 20th November whose objective was to raise awareness on the strides made to industrialize Africa; and to highlight the various activities being implemented, as well as the challenges faced in the efforts to advance structural transformation in Africa. The event also provided an opportunity to share best practices from other parts of the globe that have made advances in their industrialization drives, including the development of start-ups. The purpose of Africa Industrialization Day (AID), marked each year on November 20th, is to raise global awareness of the industrialization progress, challenges and problems faced by the African continent.

Counterfeit Goods Worth Ksh 100 million Destroyed in Mombasa

Mombasa, 9th November 2020

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority in its unrelenting enforcement efforts have again destroyed counterfeit goods worth Kshs 100 million at the Saimbot Destruction site in Changamwe, Mombasa County. The event was witnessed by anti-illicit multi-agency enforcement teams comprising government agencies and intellectual property owners as well as the media.

Speaking during the exercise, the Chairperson of Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Florah Mutahi said among the counterfeits destroyed included goods meant for the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, valued at Kshs. 25 million confiscated from unscrupulous traders.

Media Forum on Intellectual Property

Mombasa and coast region-based journalists attended ACA workshop on the role of media in the promotion Intellectual property rights (IPR).

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority hosted thirty (30) Mombasa and Kenya’s coast region journalists to a half-day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) promotion. The breakfast meeting cum workshop, was held on Friday, Nov 6, 2020 at the Mombasa Beach Hotel. The interactive forum was organized in collaboration with the Media Council of Kenya and had a dynamic program with presentations by intellectual property experts from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority.

The topics included Intellectual Property Enforcement in Kenya and the Role of Media in Intellectual Property Rights promotion. Participants were taken through the journey in the war against counterfeits and illicit trade in Kenya, global IPR protection and enforcement strategies, Kenya's government efforts in the war against counterfeits and illicit trade. They gained deeper understanding of patents, trademarks, copyrights and illicit trade issues and met one-on-one with intellectual property experts.

ACA Board of Directors Announces the Appointment of M/s. Fridah Kaberia to the Position of Acting Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Anti-Counterfeit Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Fridah Kaberia to the position of acting Executive Director for the Authority. The appointment follows the exit of Mr. Elema Halake, the former Executive Director who left after the expiry of his contract having served the Authority for a period of three (3) years and three (3) months.

Ms. Kaberia previously served as the Deputy Director in charge of Corporate Services as well as performing the functions of the Corporation Secretary. She has been instrumental in developing the overall ACA corporate strategy, overseeing key functions of Human Resource & Administration, Finance and Accounts, ICT and Public Communication.

Chief Justice Hon. David Maraga launches the Revised 2nd Edition of the Enforcement Manual to Combat Illicit Trade in Kenya

Despite Kenya having various laws and regulations to curb illicit trade, the legal regime has not done much to stop illicit trade in the country. As a result of this, government agencies tasked with fighting illicit trade came up with the inaugural edition of the Enforcement Manual to Combat Illicit Trade in Kenya in 2014 to address enforcement concern against this trade.

The second edition, a revised edition was launched yesterday by the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya Hon. Justice David K. Maraga at his office in Nairobi. The launch coincided with the opening of a virtual training of judges & magistrates under the program of Continuing Judicial Education on the Protection & Enforcement of Intellectual Property and Related Forms of Illicit Trade in Kenya.

Service Disruption Due To COVID 19 Pandemic

CIRCULAR NO. 20 FY 2020/21
TO: Esteemed Stakeholders

During this time of unprecedented uncertainty, all of us at ACA are concerned about the safety and well-being of our employees and their families, customers and
all our valued stakeholders.

We would like to announce that one of our staff based at the headquarters in Nairobi underwent COVID 19 voluntary testing and the samples turned out positive. Consequently, in line with Government guidelines and protocols on containment of this highly contagious virus, all operations and services at the Head office and Eldoret Regional Office are scaled down temporarily effective Monday 3rd August to Friday 14th August, 2020 as fumigation and sterilization of the offices is done to ensure that any contamination of surfaces by the virus is eliminated.

As this situation evolves, we shall proactively update you through our on-line channels. In the meantime, if you have any further inquiries, please contact us through email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter/Facebook @ACAKenya.

Fridah Kaberia
For: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ACA Donates 3000 Facemasks to Prison Staff to Combat Covid-19 Pandemic

Corporate Social Responsibility

With the rising spread of the pandemic COVID-19 in Kenya and globally, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee today visited Nairobi’s Industrial Area Prison facility and donated 3000 pieces of facemasks to prison administrators to ensure protection of staff as well as prisoners against coronavirus.

The choice of the correctional facility was necessitated by the high risk of contracting the virus due to the high number of visitors as well as numbers of confined people.

  1. Kenya Marks World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2020 with Launch of First National Baseline Survey on the Extend of Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade in Kenya
  2. The National Baseline Survey on the Extent of Counterfeit and Other Forms of Illicit Trade in Kenya
  3. Call for Public Participation on the Draft Intellectual Property Bill, 2020
  4. ACA Destroys Goods Worth 27M KES in Athi River
  5. Upcoming Event: World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2020 Commemorations
  6. Opinion Editorial - Consumers, Beware of Counterfeit Sanitizers as we Fight Covid-19 Pandemic
  7. Press Release: ACA Nabs Counterfeit Masks at Namanga, Kajiado County
  8. Press Release: Anti-Counterfeit Authority warns Kenyans against Counterfeit Sanitizers and Detergents
  9. Launch of the National Strategy to combat Illicit Trade
  10. County Security Committee Sensitization Forums Launched
  11. KSH 4.9 Million Counterfeit Goods Destroyed in Mombasa, Kenya
  12. Upcoming Event: World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2019 Commemorations
  13. Country-wide ‘Innovation Pipeline Workshops’ to raise awareness among SMEs.
  14. Invitation to Public Participation on the Draft Anti-Counterfeit (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 and the Draft Anti-Counterfeit (Recordation) Regulations, 2019
  15. Mobile Stores Raided, 213 Fake Phones Seized Worth Over KSH 10 Million
  16. ACA Inspectors Raid Counterfeit Home Baking Flour Manufacturing Factory in Runyenjes, Embu County
  17. Validation of National Strategy to Combat Illicit Trade
  18. Anti-Counterfeit Authority Feted for Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement by Dolby Laboratories Inc
  19. Towards Regional Harmonisation of IP Laws
  20. ACA Digitises Core Operations

Contacts

Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA)
National Water Plaza
3rd Flr, Dunga Rd Industrial Area,
P.O. Box, 47771-00100 (GPO), Nairobi, Kenya.
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Phone: +254 20-2280000
Mobile: +254 717 430 640

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