Trade plays a pivotal role in the economic development, employment and wealth creation in Kenya. The infiltration of counterfeit products compromises the role of trade as an engine of economic development in the country. Genuine and original products and brands are competed out of the market by counterfeit products and illicit products. Counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade continue to obstruct the growth of business and adversely affect the health and safety of consumers, especially true with the proliferation of counterfeit and illicit alcohol beverages. The growth of the alcoholic beverages sector is driven by an increase in the popularity of alcohol consumption particularly among young adults and rise in consumer demand for premium alcoholic products. The Kenya alcohol sector continues to flourish evidenced by the numerous alcohol-manufacturing companies complimented with as many distributors, retailers, hotels, restaurants and clubs. Cases of counterfeit and illicit brews have been on the Government’s radar since 2015 when ACA was appointed to the rapid results initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National government. The initiative sought to crack down illicit brews in the Central region and Nairobi area, which are said to be centers of illegal alcohol manufacture.

His Excellency the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta declared war on illegally - brewed alcohol, leading to revocation of licenses of many outlets and destruction of stocks of the illicit alcoholic beverages. The Authority’s efforts complimented by the Multi-Agency enforcement team have made great strides in this war against illicit alcohol netting large amounts of illicit alcoholic beverages after inspection of several depots and outlets.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and subsequent precautions may have raised the possibility of consumption of alcoholic beverages following the lockdown and curfew restrictions through online purchases. Distributors, retailers and home-delivery services are thriving as consumers have shifted their alcoholic beverages purchasing habits leading to the steady increase of the sale of counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages over the past year. Kenyans have embraced electronic commerce with majority of products and services available online. To address the upsurge of the sale of counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages, ACA is undertaking a series of interactive engagements and sensitization forums to raise awareness against counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages.

Click on the link to register for the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 15th June 2021 from 0900hrs to 1300hrs.