World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2022 Stakeholder Sensitization Forums in partnership with County Government of Machakos.
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Machakos, 9th June 2022
As a precursor to the commemoration of the World Anti-Counterfeit Day, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority partnered with the County Government of Machakos in a series of public outreach activities. The first activity held at the Machakos International Convention Centre brought together County & National Government Officers in sensitization forum followed by the county business community sensitization forum at the Semara Hotel in Machakos the next day.
In her opening remarks, acting Executive Director Frida Kaberia noted that the reason for choosing Machakos County for the public awareness events because of recent findings of the National baseline survey on counterfeiting and illicit trade that ranked Machakos third at 29% in terms of counterfeit hotspot after Nairobi and Nakuru standing at 39% and 34% respectively.
The Chairperson of board of directors at ACA Ms. Flora Mutahi called on counties to come up with anti-counterfeiting & anti-Illicit measures saying combating illicit trade creates an "enabling business environment for manufacturers & promotes fair trade" She said the growing rate of illicit trade that stood at Ksh 826B in 2018 has made the government to take up extra measures to address the problem including partnering with county government to enhance enforcement, information sharing, awareness-raising and collaboration.
In a speech read by Chief Executive Committee member Eng. Morris Aluanga the the Machakos county Governor H.E Dr. Alfred Mutua recognized the significance of fair trade in economic growth & the importance of protecting Intellectual Property in accelerating socio-economic transformation.
The Governor added that trade in counterfeit and illicit trade have disastrous effect on legitimate businesses particularly SMEs and can "stifle their growth and ability to contribute to national development". In welcoming the partnership, he said his government fully supports the program and looked forward to further training and sensitization to staff, County Residents & business community.
