Dealers in fakes now target remote towns

Merchants of fake products are now increasingly targeting far flung towns after government watchdog tightened surveillance for the substandard goods.

Kenya Bureau of Standards chief manager for market surveillance Raymond Michuki said goods that formed the highest percentage of fakes in Nairobi are no longer sold in the city as the traders hide from the glare of the regulators.

“We have tightened surveillance in Nairobi and as they go to the far flung remote areas, we are going to pursue them there as well. The loss they go through when we cease and destroy the fake products and the more frequent raids we make will definitely discourage them from dealing in these substandard goods,” Mr Michuki said.

The Standards watchdog Monday destroyed fake goods worth Sh21 million in its latest campaigns to rid Kenya of the illicit trade.

A similar exercise last year saw fake goods worth Sh37 million go in flames in what the regular has termed complicated and harmful.

KEBS Managing Director Charles Ongwae said the regulator will boost partnership with other agencies to curb the trade in fake goods and nub those involved.