ACA Steps Up Crackdown on Counterfeit Alcohol and Health Products

Story by Monyonge O’kebati

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has announced intensified nationwide enforcement against counterfeit and illicit goods, targeting alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, agricultural inputs, foodstuffs and school learning materials ahead of the festive season and the planting period.

In a statement issued in Nairobi on October 22, 2026, ACA Board of Directors Chairperson Nelson Ributhi Gaichuhie said the crackdown would focus on protecting consumers, farmers, students and legitimate businesses from dangerous and substandard products.

Gaichuhie warned that counterfeit trade imposes economic and social costs that extend beyond financial losses, exposing consumers to potentially dangerous alcohol, farmers to ineffective agricultural inputs and students to substandard educational materials.

“Counterfeit and illicit trade imposes a cost on our country that cannot be measured in money alone,” he said, noting that the trade also threatens public health and government revenue while undermining legitimate manufacturers.

Thousands of suspected counterfeit alcohol bottles seized

The authority cited recent enforcement operations in Nairobi as evidence of the scale of the illicit alcohol trade, reporting 36 arrests and apprehensions during a multi-agency Rapid Results Initiative conducted between August 20 and September 3.

The operation led to the seizure of more than 5,555 suspected counterfeit bottles and the recovery of approximately 39,580 litres of illicit brew.

Dagoretti North accounted for about 27,330 litres of the recovered illicit alcohol, while officers seized more than 5,000 bottles in Kayole and 868 assorted alcoholic beverages in Eastleigh.

On September 15, officers working with police also seized 8,459 suspected counterfeit alcoholic products in Makindu, valued at approximately KSh2.1 million. Further seizures in Nairobi, Nyeri and Eldoret brought the value of goods recovered during September to about KSh3.74 million.

Fertiliser diversion raises concerns ahead of planting season

The crackdown also targets agricultural inputs following the discovery of a suspected scheme involving the illegal diversion and repackaging of government-subsidised fertiliser in Matungu, Kakamega County.

According to the statement, ACA officers seized two loaded lorries and industrial packaging equipment after discovering that fertiliser intended for the government subsidy programme had allegedly been repackaged in counterfeit branded bags for sale at commercial prices.

The authority warned that such practices undermine efforts to make farm inputs affordable and accessible to farmers, particularly as demand for fertiliser is expected to increase during the planting season.

The operation follows a reported seizure of 323 bags of suspected illegally repackaged fertiliser valued at more than KSh1.6 million in Matungu on October 16.

The authority is also expanding enforcement against counterfeit tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes bearing imitations of registered brands, forged excise stamps, electronic cigarettes, vapes, refill liquids, rolling papers and filters.

Gaichuhie said products manufactured outside regulatory oversight may contain unverified substances, while their sale deprives the government of revenue and undermines legitimate manufacturers.

The ACA will work with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Ministry of Health and intellectual property rights holders to strengthen enforcement in the sector.

School supplies are another priority, with officers preparing to step up inspections of bookshops, stationery wholesalers and suppliers serving schools.

The authority warned that pirated textbooks and revision materials could contain errors, omissions or outdated information that disadvantage learners preparing for national examinations. Counterfeit calculators and mathematical sets may also fail to meet required accuracy standards.

Stationery was among the highest-value categories of goods in the authority’s most recent destruction exercise, prompting plans for increased surveillance of suppliers and distributors.

Public urged to verify products before purchase

With demand for alcohol, tobacco, foodstuffs and personal care products expected to rise during the festive season, the ACA has urged consumers to buy from licensed and reputable outlets.

Members of the public have been advised to inspect seals, labels and packaging and verify excise stamps and standardisation marks through official channels.

Farmers have been urged to obtain subsidised fertiliser only through authorised distribution channels, while parents and schools should purchase textbooks and other learning materials from recognised publishers and suppliers.

The authority has encouraged members of the public to report suspected counterfeit products through its official channels or at any ACA regional office, assuring informants that their information would be handled confidentially.

Gaichuhie said the intensified campaign would cover counterfeit and illicit alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, foodstuffs, school stationery, learning materials and agricultural inputs.

“Counterfeiters should not expect a holiday from enforcement,” he warned.

The announcement signals a broader enforcement push aimed at protecting consumers, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods, preserving government revenue and ensuring students have access to reliable learning materials.