Seized counterfeits await destruction/XINHUA-File
The agency’s Executive Director Stephen Malowa said the survey which will kick off in August this year will focus more on the fast moving goods like cosmetics and electronics which he said have been mostly affected by the vice.
The agency will carry out the study in partnership with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA).
“We want to know what exact figures are we talking about and what areas we should start with and where to allocate more resources. So, that study is critical to us going forward,” he said.
“It’s a countrywide survey involving hundreds of researchers from local and even international universities. The proposal is in place, the methodology too and all we need to do now is to execute it.”
Malowa said according to earlier statistics, Kenya is losing close to Sh70 billion annually through the sale of fake products.
He has attributed the increase of the illegal business to extreme low prices of counterfeit commodities which are also especially in these tough economic times.
The agency plans to seek funding from international donors, to be able to increase its operations capacity in dealing the illegal trade.
“We are going to strengthen our intelligence cooperation with other law enforcers like the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the customs and the police and you will definitely see a reduction,” Malowa pointed out.
He was speaking on Tuesday during the launch of a seven-day campaign in Nairobi and Machakos counties to create awareness among Kenyans to always prefer buying genuine products over fake ones.
