Fight Against Counterfeits To Be Strengthened In Laikipia

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The Anti-Counterfeit Agency is establishing closer multiagency collaboration at the county levels in a bid to reverse the impact of illicit trade on the countrys economy.
The anti-counterfeit body held a multiagency meeting in Nanyuki on 22 July, 2020 that sought to renew efforts to fight the illegal trade practice, which is threatening to derail manufacturing, one of the pillars of countrys Big Four Agenda.
The meeting brought together officials from the County Government of Laikipia, the county security and enforcement apparatus, Kenya Revenue Authority, chamber of commerce, private sector, among other stakeholders. The forum sought to a multiagency synergy to seal the gaps that that dealers in contraband have exploited to flood the market with illegal goods.
This comes in the wake of recent findings that trade in counterfeit goods accounts for more than the countrys manufacturing sector, severely affecting the economy and Vision 2030 goals.
The report reveals the country incurs more than Ksh. 500 billion in revenue loss annually as a result of illegal trade, dealing a heavy blow to genuine businesses and economic development as more jobs are lost due to unhealthy competition.
Speaking during the event, the Anti-Counterfeit Agency chairperson Flora Mutahi expressed her optimism to eradicate counterfeit products in the county, saying counterfeits outnumber genuine products in the market today.
We conducted a national baseline study and have found that the level of counterfeiting is actually larger than the manufacturing sector in this country, lamented Ms. Mutahi, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play to safeguard genuine trade to save the economy.
The adverse effects of illegal goods are diseases, fires due to sub-standard cables and loss of jobs from closure of genuine marked due to unhealthy competition.
The multi-agency team drawn from among others; Nema, Nacada, Kra, Kebs and National Police is determined to clear Laikipia from the illicit trade. The collaboration has seen counterfeit goods worth Ksh. 18 billion destroyed.
The county stands at position 15 on availability of uncustomed products in the country.

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