The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced a heightened crackdown on fake and substandard goods entering the country through all border points. This move aims to curb the growing menace of counterfeit products that have flooded the Kenyan market.
According to KEBS North Rift Manager Vincent Cheruiyot, the regulator will deploy officials across all border points to conduct rigorous inspections and product testing. “We are at various border points such as Malaba, Busia, Mombasa, and others. Our officials are taking samples and conducting tests to ensure that all products entering the country meet the required standards,” Cheruiyot said.
He attributed the increase in fake goods to porous borders and insufficient checks by authorities. Cheruiyot warned that anyone found aiding or distributing counterfeit products would face legal consequences, emphasizing that KEBS would maintain a strong presence at all entry points.
Cheruiyot also noted that the removal of trade barriers within regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC), COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) had increased cross-border trade, inadvertently creating opportunities for counterfeit goods to infiltrate the market. However, he affirmed that KEBS would continue fulfilling its mandate to protect consumers and uphold product quality.
Another KEBS official, Redempta Cherotich, urged the public to play an active role in combating fake goods by verifying the authenticity of KEBS quality marks and reporting any suspicious products.
Recent data from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) revealed that goods worth Ksh243.5 million were seized at entry points as of December 2024, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Kenya currently has over 15 major border points, including Malaba, Busia, Namanga, Taveta, Lunga Lunga, Moyale, Mandera, and Nadapal. KEBS’ nationwide crackdown seeks to strengthen border surveillance and protect Kenyan consumers from harmful and substandard products.
