Nairobi:The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has defended the country’s enforcement agencies against criticism over the circulation of counterfeit goods, saying criminal networks continue to exploit illegal channels to flood the market with fake products, despite coordinated government efforts to stop them. ACA Executive Director, Dr. Robi King’a, said the recent seizure of nearly 3,500 bags of counterfeit fertiliser in Uasin Gishu County underscored the growing threat posed by fake agricultural inputs to Kenya’s food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. King’a was speaking in an interview during a public participation forum in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on the Draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), 2026. The event brought together members of the public and stakeholders from Uasin Gishu, Turkana, West Pokot, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Dr. King’a said the operation, conducted jointly with the National Police Service and other government agencies, prevented substandard fertiliser from reaching unsuspecting farmers. He noted that the proliferation of fake fertiliser and other agricultural products is facilitated by criminal networks, either manufacturing these products locally or importing them through unauthorised routes. ‘Fake fertiliser directly affects harvests because farmers invest heavily, expecting quality products,’ he added.
The ACA boss expressed that counterfeit agricultural inputs threaten national food production and vowed that the Authority would continue intensifying intelligence-led operations to eliminate fake products from the market. He emphasized the importance of intelligence from various sources, including media, to act swiftly against counterfeit goods.
Responding to concerns about expired fertiliser from 2011 that reportedly expired in 2018 entering the Kenyan market, Dr. King’a dismissed suggestions of enforcement failure. He stated that enforcement agencies operate under the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC), which facilitates coordinated efforts among agencies like the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, ACA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Dr. King’a urged the public to report suspicious activities and illegal storage facilities, stressing the patriotic duty to inform authorities about counterfeit production or distribution. He acknowledged the challenge consumers face in distinguishing genuine products from counterfeit ones due to counterfeiters’ sophistication.
He advised caution when encountering products offered at significantly low prices, indicating they might be counterfeit, and urged consumers to purchase from authorised dealers. Dr. King’a also noted that while some unknowingly buy counterfeit products, others do so deliberately for cost savings while enjoying the brand image.
To combat counterfeits, he emphasized awareness and consumer education, announcing nationwide campaigns and collaboration with governments and intellectual property owners. The ACA is implementing an automated product authentication system for consumers to verify product authenticity via mobile phones.
Addressing allegations of selective enforcement, Dr. King’a denied any discrimination, affirming uniform law enforcement against counterfeit goods. He invited anyone with information on selective enforcement to report it for investigation according to the law.
