News and Events

PRESS RELEASE

WIPO AND KENYA LEAD REGIONAL EFFORT TO COMBAT COUNTERFEITING ACROSS AFRICA.

Nairobi, November 3, 2025 — Kenya, through the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), has opened a Sub-Regional Seminar on Intellectual Property (IP) Enforcement in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and with the support of the Japan Patent Office (JPO).

The three-day seminar, being held in Nairobi, has brought together law enforcement officials, prosecutors, customs officers, and IP administrators from Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya to strengthen regional capacity and coordination in the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Robi M. King’a, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, welcomed participants and emphasized the need for sustained regional cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting and illicit trade.

“The fight against counterfeiting transcends borders. No single agency or country can win this battle alone,” said Dr. King’a. “Kenya’s enforcement model, anchored in the Anti-Counterfeit Act and a robust multi-agency framework for enforcement and creation of public awareness against trade in counterfeits. These efforts reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding innovation, protecting consumers, and securing fair markets across Africa.”

Mr. Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector at WIPO, who joined the event virtually, commended Kenya and ACA for hosting the regional seminar and reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to strengthening IP enforcement capacity across Africa.

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The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and the United States International University–Africa (USIU–A), convened a three-day workshop at EKA Hotel, Nairobi to review progress in a joint research project aimed at changing public attitudes and behaviour toward buying counterfeit goods in Kenya.

The project, titled “Changing Public Attitudes and Behaviour of Buying Counterfeits through Evidence-Based Education and Awareness Raising Campaigns in Kenya,” is currently at 95 percent completion. It focuses on understanding the motivations behind consumer purchases of counterfeit goods and using those insights to design effective, evidence-based public education campaigns.

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The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) management has affirmed its commitment to fully embrace e-Government Procurement (e-GP) in line with the Government’s directive to digitize public procurement and enhance transparency.

Speaking during the e-GP retreat in Naivasha, ACA Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge said: “Mainstreaming e-GP will strengthen accountability, ensure public resources are managed responsibly, and curb corruption and malpractice in procurement.”

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Meru County, Kenya - The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has confiscated counterfeit alcoholic beverages valued at approximately Ksh. 1.5 million during an enforcement operation in Githongo town, Meru County. The joint operation, conducted with the Kenya Police Service and other government agencies, followed leads from members of the public.

A total of 91 cartons containing counterfeit alcohol mimicking locally registered trademarks were recovered. The products are suspected to have been manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic environments, raising serious concerns about public health and safety.

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The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) yesterday led a multi-agency raid in Shimanzi, Mombasa, seizing counterfeit cooking oil worth an estimated Ksh. 100 million. The joint operation brought together ACA, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Revenue Authority, National Police Service, and other government agencies. Seven suspects were arrested at the scene and booked at Makupa Police Station. The principal suspect and four accomplices escaped but are currently being pursued by law enforcement.

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The National Treasury is rolling out an end-to-end Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system to all Procuring Entities in both the National and County Governments. This is one of the Public Finance Management Reforms that is geared towards efficiency and value for money in the Public Procurement. The e-GP system rollout is in line with the directive by His Excellency, the President in his State of Nation address on 21st November, 2024 that the National Treasury rolls out the e-GP system by the first quarter of 2025.

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Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, Executive Director and CEO of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), was celebrated on June 10, 2025, at the 36th Annual African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference in Mombasa, where he received the prestigious award for “Champion of Institutional Growth – for Visionary Leadership and Steadfast Support to PRSK.”

The award ceremony, which took place during APRA’s golden jubilee under the theme “Transforming Africa through Safe and Responsible Digital Communication,” was attended by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information and ICT, Hon. William Kabogo, alongside ministers and dignitaries from across the African continent. The gathering drew thought leaders and communication strategists dedicated to building ethical and inclusive digital communication practices.

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Nairobi, June 6, 2025 – Kenya marked World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2025 with a high-level forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, led by the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr. Daren Tang. His attendance marked the first time a WIPO chief has graced the event in Kenya, underscoring international recognition of the country’s growing role in intellectual property (IP) enforcement.

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In a moment that captured both the spirit and purpose of World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2025, Mathaithi Girls High School from Nyeri County delivered a stirring performance that left the audience moved and inspired. The students took the stage with confidence and pride as they presented their award-winning choral verse, “Upholding Authenticity,” a piece that has already earned national acclaim after winning top honours in Category 464 at the prestigious Kenya Music Festival.

Their participation in the event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, was more than just an artistic interlude-it was a passionate statement on the role of young people and cultural expression in the fight against counterfeiting. With powerful narration, harmonized voices, and poetic depth, the performance reminded participants from across government, industry, and international organizations that the message of authenticity can be amplified far beyond policy papers and enforcement statistics-it can also be sung, dramatized, and deeply felt.

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Mombasa, Kenya – 29th May 2025. The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), in collaboration with JO Global Ventures Ltd, conducted a one-day product authentication training in Mombasa to strengthen the capacity of enforcement officers in identifying counterfeit goods entering the country through the coastal region.

The training brought together customs, police, and county enforcement officers and focused on how to detect fake products by analyzing packaging, security features, serial numbers, and brand-specific indicators.

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