NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 23 – Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has warned Kenyans against fraudulent activities being carried out by impersonators claiming to be its officials.
Mugambi Mutegi, the authority’s communications and external relations manager, revealed that individuals and organizations claiming to be affiliated with CAK are defrauding Kenyans by pretending to be conducting compliance checks on businesses.
“It has come to the attention of the Competition Authority of Kenya that individuals and organizations claiming to be affiliated with us are defrauding Kenyans under the guise of conducting compliance checks on businesses retailing goods that, allegedly, breach consumer protection laws in the country,” said Mutegi.
The competition agency gave an example of numerous such complaints that have been reported by retailers in Mombasa, Embu, Machakos, Nyeri, and Meru counties.
Business retailers stated to the authority that the impersonators have been invading business premises, confiscating merchandise, giving on-the-spot fines with the aim of soliciting bribes, and conducting alleged arrests.
“When the Authority conducts entry and search activities pursuant to the Competition Act, such exercises are always sanctioned through a search warrant issued by the High Court, and are conducted in the presence of security officers,” he said.
“The business targeted in the search, or their legal representatives, are afforded an opportunity to inspect the court warrant. Our staff members do not possess arresting powers!’’ Mutegi warned.
CAK assured that it was engaging all relevant security agencies in the ongoing investigations into the cases of impersonation and other illegal acts to arrest the perpetrators, including reviewing the circumstances of the complaints received from various business owners.
“Business owners confronted by individuals claiming to work for the Authority, and who fail to identify themselves or their assignment, confiscate goods, purport to issue on-the spot penalties, threaten arrests, or solicit bribes, should immediately report the matter to the nearest police station,” added Mutegi.
