A major enforcement operation in Nairobi has drawn public attention after officers from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority moved into Gikomba Market and intercepted a large consignment of fake goods.
The operation led to the arrest of a Chinese national who was found with a stock of counterfeit socks and clothing items worth an estimated Ksh50 million.
The suspect had reportedly been under investigation for some time after several well-known global brands complained that their trademarks were being used without permission, prompting the authority to look deeper into his activities.
During the raid, ACA Nairobi Regional Manager Abdi Abikar explained that the seized goods had been shipped into the country through a route designed to disguise their true origin.
The shipment allegedly passed through Uganda before being brought into Kenya, a tactic the authority believes was used to avoid detection and make it harder to trace the source.
Abikar further noted that the suspect appeared to be a major distributor preparing to flood the market with the counterfeit socks during the festive period, a time when demand for clothing usually increases.
Authorities said the suspect was taken to Kamukunji Police Station because he is considered a flight risk.
Investigations are now focused on tracing his wider network, including possible local partners, cross-border trafficking routes, and any links to other distributors dealing in fake merchandise.
Officials believe that breaking this network is essential to stopping more counterfeit goods from entering the Kenyan market.
Members of the public scamper at the scene of a twin explosion at the Gikomba open-air market for second-hand clothes in Nairobi Thomson Reuters
ACA Executive Director Robi King’a emphasized that counterfeit items are not only harmful to the economy but also pose real risks to consumers.
She explained that fake products rarely meet safety standards and can expose users to health hazards.
In addition to safety concerns, the entry of counterfeit goods causes serious economic damage by discouraging investment, weakening legitimate businesses, and reducing employment opportunities.
King’a stated that the authority’s enforcement operations should not be mistaken for harassment, as they are aimed at protecting the public and ensuring fair competition.
Officers who inspected the seized socks confirmed that, despite bearing the names of popular global brands, the products were of poor quality. King’a added that the authority will intensify surveillance during the festive season, especially in areas such as Gikomba, Kamukunji, Eastleigh, and the Nairobi CBD, which are known hotspots for counterfeit activities.
She stressed that genuine traders benefit the most when fake goods are removed from the market because counterfeits distort prices, weaken customer trust, and undermine Kenya’s retail and manufacturing sectors.
