The Kenyan Government has destroyed counterfeit goods worth Sh100 million in Changamwe Mombasa as it escalates efforts to counter illicit trade.
Anti Counterfeit Authority Chairperson Florah Mutahi said among the counterfeits destroyed were goods meant for the fight against COVID-19 pandemic valued at Sh25 Million confiscated from unscrupulous traders.
Ms. Mutahi observed that a study carried out recently revealed electrical goods account for the bigger percentage of counterfeits into the country.
Ms. Mutahi added that 70pc of the counterfeits come from outside the country and called for strengthening of border points, strengthening prosecutions as well as engaging in public awareness on the dangers of counterfeits adding that the government is working towards zero tolerance to counterfeits and illegal goods altogether.
She said manufacturing is one of the big four agendas which is supposed to contribute 15pc of the country’s GDP noting that the unfortunate trend where counterfeits contribute more than local manufacturing leads to detriment of local industries
According to government records, goods worth Sh125 billion have been destroyed since formation of the multi agency team in 2018 compared to the Sh1.4 billion in the previous five years before its formation.
Due to this, Kenya had been losing over 1700 jobs annually to counterfeits, with manufacturers complaining over 40pc of the local market getting taken over by counterfeit products.
Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata said security agencies in the coast region will play their role in eliminating importation of counterfeits through the borders and the ports.
Commissioner Elungata said the officers deployed will ensure that no counterfeit products enter the Country going forward.
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