Christmas and new year festivities provide an opportunity for families and friends to come together. They are occasions when families exchange gifts, purchase a variety of items for domestic use and for get-together parties. People generally visit supermarkets, shopping malls and other retail outlets to buy products of their choice. The volume of goods purchased and consumed peaks during this period. Immediately after the new year festivities, children return to school and parents once again engage in purchase of various return-to-school items such as textbooks and other forms of stationery. 

Demand for fast moving goods is always at its highest peak during this holiday season. With increased demand, there is the usual necessity to supply goods to meet the demand. Counterfeiters take advantage of the heightened demand to fill the gap by supplying counterfeit goods in the market. This is therefore a critical time for all of us to be extra vigilant not to fall prey to the purchase and consumption of counterfeit goods.

Therefore, as the festive season draws closer, manufacturers, consumers and all parties along the supply chain have a collective responsibility to be vigilant and ensure that trade in counterfeit goods do not ruin our holidays.  This way we shall all avoid the negative consequences of counterfeiting such as risk to health and safety. 

The facts and figures 

Kenya has been negatively impacted by trade in counterfeit goods. According to the national baseline survey on illicit trade and counterfeiting conducted by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Government revenue loss was estimated at KES 129.72 billion in 2017 and KES 153.1 billion in 2018 and continues to grow.

The baseline survey also covered consumer awareness and behavior change with regard to illicit trade. From the study, y 42.09% of consumers have purchased illicitly traded products knowingly with 30.76% of consumers being unsure, while 27.15% of consumers said they have not purchased illicitly traded products. This shows the purchase of illicit goods is widespread and accepted since most consumers are able to identify illicit goods before purchase.

Majority of consumers purchase illicit goods in the energy, electrical and electronic sector followed by food, beverage and drinks sector. Purchases of illicit goods is widespread in all counties across the country.

The role of our manufacturers and trademark owners 

Manufacturers and trade mark owners are key in fighting counterfeiting. This can take the form of public awareness creation, use of technology such as barcoding to make it difficult for counterfeiters to imitate their products, having a secure supply chain and having dedicated consumer hotlines through which consumers can make reports or enquiries.

Manufacturers can also report instances of counterfeiting to law enforcement authorities for quick action, support investigations and enhance filed surveillance through sales teams to detect and report counterfeiting. All these are important roles aimed at combating counterfeiting.

Empowering consumers and government inspectors 

Manufacturers are in a position to empower consumers and law enforcement personnel to be able to identify genuine from counterfeit goods.

Manufacturers should also educate consumers on the potential health and safety risks in consuming counterfeit goods.. This will address consumer indifference and change consumer attitude and perception hence assisting in combating counterfeiting.

Manufacturers can also make public information on authorized distributors and retailers across the country so that buyers can buy genuine products from them.. There is also need to provide an easy mechanism for consumers to report counterfeits to both manufactures and the relevant government authorities to ensure enforcement.

Be Vigilant, don't let counterfeiters ruin your holidays

Fighting trade in counterfeit goods starts with you. It is the civic and patriotic duty of every Kenyan to compliment government efforts to combat counterfeiting.. Kenyans need to be vigilant by shopping from authorized retailers  they know and trust, and carefully be on the lookout for product details including labels. Look out for trademark pass-offs, poor language and spelling mistakes. If the products have spills and non-uniform filling or packaging avoid it at all costs, and if a deal looks too good to be true, it is! Cheap is expensive.

Enjoy your holidays.