Kenya destroys illegal products. Photo, The Star, Kenya
from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – KENYA has destroyed illegal products valued at over Sh1,5 billion (R220 million), weeks after South African authorities embarked on a crackdown against counterfeit material.
Among the products destroyed in the capital Nairobi and surrounding areas include 25 000 bottles of beer, 102 bottles of wine and 104 000 bottles of juice.
More than 93 600 bottles of mineral water, 6 450 packets of cigarettes and machinery used in the production of such goods were also destroyed.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had impounded the products in partnership with government agencies that constitute a multi-agency team President Uhuru Kenyatta established in 2018 to combat illicit trade and contraband goods.
“The exercise underscores the government’s determination and keenness to annihilate the vices of illicit trade and contraband goods,” said Anne Irungu: KRA Deputy Commissioner.
She said illicit trade and contraband goods posed unfair competition to legally trading products and posed potential health hazards to mostly unsuspecting consumers.
Irungu said these infringements weakened the economy and promoted loss of government revenue through tax evasion.
Hence, authorities were intensifying efforts against unscrupulous traders.
“Their days are numbered,” Irungu warned.
Recently, South Africa, the continent’s most advanced economy, initiated a clampdown against counterfeited goods, locally derided as ‘fong kongs’.
Affected shop owners and street vendors clashed with law enforcers during the exercise.
– CAJ News