Authorities in Nyeri County are set to supervise the destruction of counterfeit goods worth Sh 3.8 million that were seized in a renewed push by State agencies to end the sale of fake products.
The seized goods include 19,700 bottles of counterfeit alcohol packaged in various quantities. The counterfeited brands include Diamond ice, Jambo ice, Best, Blue ice, and Triger ice.
The enforcement teams also confiscated fake cosmetics, pesticides, car lubricants, motor vehicle accessories, stationery including geometrical sets and an array of electronic items which were seized during various raids conducted within the county over the last nine months.
Speaking when he oversaw the release of the goods, Wednesday, to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority for destruction at their Athi River warehouse, Nyeri County Commissioner Josephat Biwott noted that the county had made significant progress in eliminating counterfeit and harmful products from the market.
He particularly singled out the significance of the anti-counterfeit raids in tackling the illicit brew and counterfeit alcohol menace in the county, noting that the efforts are beginning to bear fruits.
The commissioner acknowledged that the fight against counterfeit alcohol had been particularly challenging, citing the proliferation of counterfeit liquor as a major obstacle.
“Our biggest challenge has been eradicating counterfeit alcohol,” said Biwott.
He attributed earlier setbacks to weak coordination among the enforcement agencies involved in the fight but noted that collaboration has since improved, therefore strengthening enforcement efforts.
“There was a weak link but after our first meeting in January as the County Multi-agency Committee, we are going on very well and as we speak most of the counterfeit alcohol that has been seized has been submitted to the relevant agencies for testing.
With cooperation from all the agencies, including the office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Judiciary, one of the main suspects is in court and we are defending our case very well because everybody is involved to make sure that these things are done to their conclusion,” said the County Administrator.
Biwott further disclosed that cases against suspects involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of counterfeit alcohol will now be fast-tracked with support from improved evidence collection by the Police and quicker laboratory timelines by the Government Chemist.
“We want to expedite the hearing and conclusion of court cases by proving the relevant requirements as per the ODPP and Judiciary’s request to all the agencies involved in this fight to provide all the required evidence and support to make sure that the cases are concluded within a very short time,” he said.
He said that to further strengthen the war on the illicit trade, the county multi-agency committee has made plans to engage the three manufacturers whose alcohol is widely counterfeited and distributed in the county.
He warned that non-compliant manufacturers risk disciplinary action, including the recommendation to have their licences revoked by the National Alcohol Control Committee.
He said that during the meeting the committee will be seeking to address gaps, including poor disposal of alcohol bottles, which he said have allowed counterfeit alcohol to enter the market.
“We want to sit with the three manufacturers Patiala, Zheng Hong, and FRM and distributors to ensure that we have an agreement because we want to see their input in this fight. We want to know why we are getting counterfeits in Nyeri that are associated with their brand and why they are not supporting us to get rid of these counterfeits,” he said.
“We also want to engage them and the bar owners and have them take responsibility for their bottles. We have agreed with the County Government on how to destroy the used bottles because they are being misused to package these counterfeits,” he added.
Biwott also told the press that authorities have also intensified their surveillance through regular multi-agency inspections involving officers from the National Government Administration Officers, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Public Health and the Nyeri County Enforcement team.
He said that alcohol distributors and bar owners have been directed to maintain clear records of their stock to ensure that they can account for the source of alcohol in their possession.
“We have agreed that distributors must keep a clear record of the brands picked from the manufacturers. The same will apply to our bar owners whom we have so far trained on how to keep proper documents so that when we conduct our raids, they should be able to account for all the alcohol in their possession. Because when you do not have a document to account for the alcohol, it means you are part and parcel of this racket,” said Biwott.
And while sounding a warning to the unscrupulous businesspeople engaging in the trade that their days are numbered, Biwott said that the government will spare no effort in ensuring those found culpable will face the full force of the law.
He also appealed to members of the public to support the crackdown by reporting suspicious activities, particularly the distribution of counterfeit alcohol, which he said was taking place during odd hours.
“When it comes to the fight against illicit brews and drugs, no one is going to be spared. We will make sure we get rid of these counterfeits so that the public can drink safe and legal alcohol and not poison,” said Biwott.
By Wangari Mwangi
