NAIROBI, KENYA, 13^th February 2023

Hon. Josephat Kabeabea is now the Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority after his appointment by the Cabinet Minister of the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry. He takes over from the Ms. Flora Mutahi who was serving her second term at the Authority.

During the handover ceremony, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority Executive Director, Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge thanked the outgoing Chair for her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment in the war against counterfeit and illicit trade in the country.  

Ms. Flora Mutahi played a great role in the development of the national strategy to combat Illicit Trade. It is the strategy that laid down the ‘The National Action Plan and Implementation Framework to Combat Illicit Trade 2019/2020 - 2021/2022’. The plan developed through public participation involved collaboration between Anti-Illicit Trade Multi-Agency Teams as well as the private sector led by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA in the war against counterfeit and illicit trade.

Ms. Mutahi is also credited with providing leadership during conceptualization and implementation of the intellectual property rights recordation program to deter counterfeits from the source countries. “We are eternally grateful for her unwavering pursuit of excellence and tireless dedication to our team” Dr Mbugua said.

Ms. Mutahi thanked fellow board members, management and staff for the professionalism and support during the period of her stay at the Authority. She was grateful to the government for the appointment to serve the country in the war against illicit trade that was affecting the manufacturing sector and the growth of the economy. 

Welcoming the new Chair, she said the Authority had made great strides in the anti-counterfeit war and was ready to launch and implement the 3rd Anti-Counterfeit Authority strategic plan 2022/23 - 2026/27 and also had gained re-certification of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Certification.

The Incoming Chairman Hon. Josephat Kabeabea thanked the outgoing Chair for her great work at the Authority. Hon. Kabeabea said that he was glad to join the Authority and spearhead the Anti-Counterfeit War in the country and looked forward to accelerating from where his predecessor had left.

Hon. Kabeabea said he will work with all stakeholders including the private sector. He reiterated the need for renewing and strategically focusing on the needs of our customers particularly the small and medium enterprise. He said he will steer the Authority to be not only a regulator but a facilitator of their trade in order to grow the economy and support for innovation and competitiveness.

He said the Authority will work in line with the Kenya Kwanza Government position to provide an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive in the country.  “We will seek ways of enlightening and informing them on matters relating to intellectual property rights and will work with to ensure we have legitimate trade and fair trade dealings.