The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has launched an investigation into Naivas Supermarket following allegations that a customer was charged more for a product than the advertised price.
According to the complaint, the customer purchased a bottle of Hunter’s Choice at Naivas’ Thindigua branch for Sh1,120, despite the supermarket promoting the same product on its Instagram page at Sh899.
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The probe comes as the regulator intensifies efforts to address misleading pricing and other unfair business practices in the retail sector.
Under the Competition Act, businesses found guilty of anti-competitive practices, including misleading pricing, may face penalties of up to 10 per cent of their annual turnover. Individuals found responsible could also be fined up to Sh10 million, jailed for up to five years, or both.
CAK’s latest report indicates that it has recently dealt with similar complaints involving Quickmart and Carrefour supermarkets.
In one case, a customer identified as Daniel Kabata accused Carrefour of misleading consumers by charging higher prices than those displayed in stores and on the retailer’s mobile application.
Following the Competition Authority’s intervention, the customer was refunded and the matter was resolved.
In a separate complaint, Peter Longden reported being charged Sh7,890 for an aluminium clothes dryer that had been displayed at Sh3,499.
The Authority said Carrefour corrected the pricing error and compensated the customer after the issue was brought to its attention.
The Competition Authority continues to urge retailers to ensure that advertised prices match the amounts charged at checkout in order to protect consumers and promote fair trade practices.
