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.
He 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.
“The proliferation of fake fertiliser and other agricultural products is a reality because we have people using criminal networks, either to manufacture these products locally or to bring them into the country through unauthorised entry routes,” he noted, adding. “Fake fertiliser directly affects harvests because farmers invest heavily, expecting quality products.”
The ACA boss said 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.
“We receive intelligence from various sources, including members of the media, and we act swiftly whenever actionable information is received. We are not going to condone the sale of counterfeit goods,” he said.
Responding to concerns about how expired fertiliser manufactured in 2011 and reportedly expired in 2018 found its way into the Kenyan market, Dr. King’a dismissed suggestions that enforcement agencies had failed in their mandate.
“There is no disconnect. Criminal activity has existed throughout history, and our responsibility is to intercept it whenever intelligence is available,” he said.
He explained that enforcement agencies operate under the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC), chaired by the Principal Secretary(PS) for Interior which brings together agencies, including the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, ACA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and others.
According to Dr. King’a, intelligence sharing among these agencies enables coordinated enforcement operations rather than isolated interventions.
He appealed to members of the public to report suspicious manufacturing activities and illegal storage facilities within their communities.
“It is the patriotic duty of every Kenyan to inform the police or any enforcement agency whenever they suspect counterfeit products are being produced or distributed,” he alluded.
The ACA Executive Director acknowledged that many consumers struggle to distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones because counterfeiters have become increasingly sophisticated in copying legitimate brands.
He advised consumers to be cautious when products are offered at unusually low prices, saying significant price differences often indicate counterfeit goods.
“If a product normally sells for Sh10,000 and someone is offering a similar one for Sh1,000, consumers should question whether it is genuine,” advised the ACA Boss.
He also urged buyers to purchase products only from authorised dealers, particularly agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, and to verify the credibility of retailers before making purchases.
Dr. King’a noted that while some consumers unknowingly buy counterfeit products, research has shown that others deliberately purchase fake branded goods because they are cheaper, while still protecting the image associated with expensive brands.
“Fighting counterfeits begins with awareness. If consumers deny counterfeiters a market, that industry will not thrive,” he said.
To strengthen consumer protection, Dr. King’a affirmed that the Authority is rolling out awareness campaigns across the country and working closely with County governments, national government administrators and intellectual property owners to educate both consumers and enforcement officers.
He also revealed that the ACA is implementing an automated product authentication system that will allow legitimate goods to carry unique digital identifiers which consumers can verify using their mobile phones.
“The verification system will enable consumers to confirm whether a product is genuine while allowing the Authority to trace where legitimate products are sold for enforcement purposes,” he said.
Addressing allegations from some traders that enforcement officers selectively target certain businesses while ignoring others selling similar products, Dr. King’a denied claims of discrimination.
“The Authority has no sacred cows. Whenever counterfeit goods are identified, we enforce the law uniformly. If anyone has information suggesting selective enforcement, they should share it with us, and we shall investigate according to the law,” affirmed the ACA Executive Director.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
