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The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has launched a new digital security mark designed to help consumers distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones, as part of renewed efforts to crack down on fake goods circulating in Kenya.
Dubbed the Anti-Counterfeit Security Device, the digital verification system will enable consumers, regulators and enforcement officers to confirm the authenticity of products, especially as counterfeit trade increasingly shifts from physical markets to online platforms.
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Speaking during the World Anti-Counterfeiting Day celebrations in Nairobi, ACA Board Chairman Nelson Gaichuhie said the initiative marks a significant step in protecting consumers and enhancing enforcement against counterfeit products.
“We are introducing the Anti-Counterfeit Security Device as a practical solution that allows consumers, regulators and enforcement officers to verify whether products are genuine,” Gaichuhie said.
He noted that the technology will simplify product authentication, improve intelligence-led enforcement operations and safeguard Kenyans from fake goods that pose serious risks to public health and safety.
According to Gaichuhie, counterfeit networks have become more sophisticated, infiltrating supply chains and threatening legitimate businesses across the country.
He emphasized that the digital mark represents more than just a regulatory requirement.
“This mark is not about bureaucracy; it is a promise to every mother, patient, farmer and driver that the products they purchase are authentic and safe,” he said.
Gaichuhie further acknowledged that existing laws have struggled to keep pace with the evolving tactics employed by counterfeiters, calling for stronger legal frameworks and modern enforcement tools.
“The law has lagged behind the criminals. We must strengthen our legal safeguards, modernise enforcement and ensure counterfeiters face the full consequences of their actions,” he added.
ACA Executive Director Mbugua Njoroge said the rapid migration of counterfeit trade to e-commerce platforms and digital marketplaces has forced regulators to rethink their enforcement strategies.
“The counterfeit business has evolved from backroom operations to smartphones and online platforms. Our enforcement methods must evolve just as quickly,” Njoroge said.
He stressed that collaboration between regulators, manufacturers and enforcement agencies remains essential in dismantling counterfeit networks through intelligence sharing, joint inspections and coordinated operations.
“The fight against counterfeit goods requires collective action. Working together enables us to strengthen enforcement and better protect consumers,” he said.
As part of the initiative, ACA signed a collaboration agreement with the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) to promote responsible procurement practices and strengthen supply chain integrity against counterfeit and substandard products.
The authority also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with REACT, an international anti-counterfeiting organisation with over 30 years of experience tackling illicit trade in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, fashion, tobacco and consumer goods.
KISM Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Matiba said effective procurement systems are a vital defence against counterfeit products.
“Strong procurement controls enhance supply chain transparency, accountability and credibility, making it more difficult for counterfeit goods to enter the market,” he said.
Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chief Executive Officer Tobias Alando warned that counterfeit products continue to undermine legitimate businesses, erode consumer confidence and distort fair competition.
This year’s World Anti-Counterfeiting Day was commemorated under the theme “Leveraging Strategic Partnerships to Combat Counterfeiting,” bringing together government agencies, manufacturers, procurement professionals, intellectual property rights holders and development partners to discuss strategies for protecting consumers, strengthening intellectual property rights and promoting legitimate trade.
