Kenya is bleeding a staggering KSh 153 billion every year to the black market of counterfeit goods, a crisis that the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) warns is not just an economic crime, but a matter of life and death.

New data released ahead of World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2025 reveals that the scourge has infiltrated critical sectors including pharmaceuticals, automotive spares, and agriculture. The ACA's firm-level survey indicates that one in five products on Kenyan shelves is fake, with illicit trade thriving on online platforms and social media.

The Cost of Fakes

"This is sabotage," declared ACA Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua. "When you buy a fake brake pad, you are buying a potential accident. When you buy fake medicine, you are buying a death sentence."

• Health Risk: Counterfeit drugs and alcohol are leading causes of preventable deaths and blindness.
• Economic Hit: The KSh 153 billion loss is equivalent to funding the construction of two Nairobi Expressways.
• Job Killer: legitimate manufacturers cannot compete with tax-evading counterfeiters, leading to factory closures and job losses.

Winning the War

The ACA is shifting tactics, focusing on consumer awareness and tightening border controls. Awareness levels have risen to 83%, but the temptation of "cheap" goods remains a hurdle. The message to Kenyans is simple: If the deal looks too good to be true, it is probably a fake.

The fight against counterfeits is also a fight for the "Buy Kenya, Build Kenya" dream. We cannot build a nation on a foundation of fake products.