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Over 2,800 Kenyan consumers have taken global sanitary and baby product manufacturers to court, accusing them of false advertising and deceptive labeling.
The petition, filed at the High Court in Nairobi, targets Procter & Gamble — makers of Always and Pampers — and Kimberly-Clark, producers of Kotex and Huggies.
Represented by advocates Joseph Mwai, Ekuru Aukot, and Okello Kiume, the petitioners allege that the companies label their products as “100% Cotton” or “Pure Cotton” despite using petroleum-based materials.
They argue that this misrepresentation breaches consumer rights, public health, and environmental laws under the Constitution and the Consumer Protection Act.
The group is seeking court orders to suspend the sale and advertising of the products pending the case’s determination and to compel full disclosure of product ingredients.
“The sale of toxic sanitary and baby products endangers millions and violates the right to human dignity,” the petition states.
Additionally, the petitioners accuse the companies of economic exploitation, claiming that Kenya loses over Sh60 billion annually through imports of petroleum-based goods that could instead be produced locally using cotton — potentially earning the country Sh100 billion each year.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has been listed as an interested party in the case, which is being handled by the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court.
The next hearing is set for March 24, 2025, after the court granted parties more time to file and exchange affidavits.
