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ADVERTISER'S CONTENT
Kenya’s fight against counterfeits goes a notch
higher with rollout of a National Action Plan
By Tom Muteti Left: National Plan inauguration
during the Kenya Trade Week at
the KICC by Hon. Peter Munya the
Cabinet Secretary Trade, Industry
and Cooperatives
Right: From Left Chair ACA Board
of Directors Ms. Flora Mutahi, The
Deputy Head of Public Service
and Coordinator of the multi-
Agency Enforcement team Mr.
Wanyama Musiambo, The Chair,
Parliamentary Committee on Trade,
Industry and Cooperative Hon.
Kanini Kega, PS Trade Dr. Chris
Kiptoo and the Executive Director
Anti Counterfeit Authority Elema
Halake hold copies of the National
Action Plan during the launch
ANational Action Plan to step up be worth $650 billion with the latest Kenyans put at risk as a result of
efforts to reduce levels of illicit figures on counterfeiting alone counterfeit products.
trade in Kenya by entrenching a well- predicting an increase to $1.77 trillion.
coordinated approach by government Up-to-date data and more cross- “We are keen to see our manufacturing
agencies and partners has been border information sharing is needed sector expand and grow; we’d like
launched. to develop a clearer understanding of all Kenyans to have access to quality
illicit trade, the contexts which enable and affordable healthcare; we want
Dubbed the National Action Plan for it, and how to combat it effectively. to see mothers feeding their families
Combating Illicit Trade, the strategy on nutritional foods, and raising their
seeks to ensure agencies tasked with “The Multi- Agency Anti-Illicit Trade children in proper housing facilities
combating illicit trade have the required Outreach team has made great – this is the essence of the Big Four
capacity and leverage their synergies strides in the war against illicit trade. Agenda,” he said.
with other partners and collaborators Sustainability of these efforts is
to realize meaningful impact in the war paramount as a reassurance to investors Since its formation, the Multi Agency
against illicit trade. to continue investing more resources Anti-Illicit Trade Outreach (MAAITO)
in expanding their businesses and team has seized over Sh8.5 billion
Illicit Trade has been one of the leading industries,” said the Chairperson of worth of illicit goods. Of these, illicit
causes of revenue loss for both the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and goods worth Sh1.5 billion have been
private sector and governments. (Anti Counterfeit Agency) ACA Board destroyed so far. To ensure continuity,
Chairperson, Ms. Flora Mutahi. the Action Plan proposes a multi-agency
“It is imperative that these agencies framework domiciled at the Executive
are well coordinated through sealing According to ACA Executive Director Office of the President which will
the administrative and governance Elema Halake all identified loopholes, provide policy guidance, monitor the
loopholes exploited by perpetrators of within and beyond Kenya’s borders implementation of various programs,
illicit trade. This action plan is geared to that have caused proliferation of illicit and report progress to the Presidency.
overcoming these challenges,” says Dr. products into the market must be
Chris Kiptoo – Chairman of the Anti-Illicit sealed. The Action Plan considers countering
Trade Forum and also the PS Trade. illicit trade as a strategic priority in
The remarks were made during the realizing Vision 2030 aspirations as
Whereas there are no statistics on World Anti Counterfeit Day at the EPZA well as the Big Four Agenda that include
the economic size and impact of grounds in Athi River, where the Anti universal health care, food security,
counterfeiting or illicit trade in Kenya Counterfeit Authority (ACA) led the affordable housing and 25 per cent
- estimates from Kenya Association destruction of counterfeit goods worth increase in manufacturing by 2030.
of Manufacturers (KAM) show that the over Sh27 million and also announced
country loses at least Sh200 million the beginning of the Kuwa Sure Public The essence of the Action Plan,
annually on counterfeits. The East Awareness Campaign. therefore, is to lay foundations to
African region loses over US$500 million combat illicit trade to facilitate
in government tax revenue annually. Speaking during the event, Ministry attainment of the country’s
of Industry, Trade and Co-operatives development goals. It lays capital on
The World Economic Forum’s Global Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya stressed collaboration between the public,
Agenda Council on Illicit Trade recently that the government would no longer private sector and the international
estimated the shadow economy to lose revenue, or watch the lives of community for effective outcomes.
55| SACCO Star Magazine
