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3rd Floor, Nairobi
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority has received reports of persons posing as Anti-Counterfeit inspectors targeting business owners and soliciting money pretending to enforce the Anti-Counterfeit Act.
The code of conduct for Anti-Counterfeit Inspector is always to:
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) forges an alliance to combat counterfeits and drug abuse. The initiative is to safeguard public health and tackle pressing societal challenges especially during the festive season.
The meeting bringing together the officials from NACADA and ACA was held at the Anti-Counterfeit Authority headquarters in Nairobi. The meeting focused on exploring collaborative measures to address the proliferation and abuse of counterfeit alcohol, drugs, and other substance.
The critical role of a Strong Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) System in advancing Kenya's industrialisation agenda cannot be overstated. Counterfeiting, or intellectual property theft, poses a significant threat to this progress. It not only affects fair trade, investment, and employment but also has far-reaching implications for innovation, the environment, and, crucially, the health and safety of consumers.
Globally, illicit trade, including counterfeiting, is a predominant menace, depriving the world economy of an estimated $2.2 trillion annually, equivalent to nearly three per cent of the global GDP. In Kenya, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority's baseline survey in 2018 revealed illicit trade amounting to Ksh826 billion, a 14% increase from the previous year. This trend persisted in 2019, with illicit trade accounting for 13% of the country's GDP, totalling Ksh800 billion.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has been awarded the prestigious Certificate of Exemplary Performance by the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values for its unwavering dedication to adhering to the 2022-2023 financial year performance contracting guidelines on national values and principles of governance.
The Awards, a symbol of national pride and unity, is coordinated by the Executive Office of the President, in compliance with the national values and principles of governance as articulated in Article 10(2) of the Kenyan constitution.
In a judgment issued at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, the Honorable Chief Magistrate L. Gicheha has found Mr. Japheth Mukinyi Mwakavi guilty of the possession and trade of counterfeit goods, a violation of section 32 of the Anti-Counterfeit Act No. 13 of 2008.
Mr. Mwakavi was charged with unlawfully possessing for purposes of trade, 17 counterfeit HP flatboxes, valued at Kshs. 139,500, without the authorization of the registered intellectual property owner, Hewlett Packard Group LLC, which is in contravention of section 32(a) as stipulated in section 35(1) of the Anti-Counterfeit Act No.13 of 2008.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) have opened a new frontier that seeks to ensure counterfeiting and illicit trade do not endanger the country.
The prospect of this partnership was introduced during a productive meeting between Dr. Robi Mbugua, the Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, and Major General Said Farah, Vice-Chancellor of NDU-K, held at the main campus in Lanet Nakuru.
Mombasa, 28th August 2023.
Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) have in meeting today agreed to strengthen collaboration with the government in combating international trade in counterfeit products. This was revealed after a fruitful meeting between the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Executive Director, Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, and KIFWA's National Chairman, Mr. Roy Mwanthi in Mombasa.
The upshot of the meeting was formation of a strategic alliance focusing on raising awareness about the perils of counterfeiting and training members on matters dealing with trade in counterfeits. This is aimed at safeguarding legitimate international trade practices and building a network of informed members in the freight and forwarding industry operating in the country.
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in a meeting today agreed to collaborate with the Anti-Counterfeit Authority in move aimed at exploring potential areas of partnership in combating counterfeiting and promoting consumer protection in Kenya.
The KEPSA delegation was led by Ms. Anne Kimitei, the Chairperson of the Security Sector Board included Vice Chair of the Security Board, Mr. Cosmas Mutava, Ms. Brenda Mwita from Mabati Rolling Mills, and Mr. Isaac Yugi.
The Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, expressed gratitude for deepening the collaboration in the spirit of private-public partnerships in the fight against counterfeiting. Dr. Mbugua said the Authority will continue to engage in constructive dialogues with the private sector not only to protect Intellectual property rights but also to protect consumers from the detrimental effects of counterfeit goods.
A delegation from the European Union led by Mr. Martijn Boelen, the European Union (EU) Trade Counsellor to Kenya, and Mr. Gregor Schneider, the EU Africa Regional Counsellor Intellectual Property made a visit to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge at his office in Nairobi. In attendance was Mr. Filipo Amato from the EU, and senior members of ACA management.
The meeting aimed at reviewing existing areas of collaboration targeting capacity building and legislative interventions towards effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) in the country.
3rd August 2023. Nakuru, Kenya.
The County Government of Nakuru, in collaboration with the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), successfully organized an open-air consultative forum at Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru city, aimed at fostering a stronger partnership with the business community.
The consultative meeting, held against the backdrop of a surge in counterfeit trade in the region, sought to promote effective collaboration between government agencies and traders in combatting counterfeit and illicit trade.
In a significant development, a consultative meeting was convened earlier on today, with executive members of business associations from Kisumu and the Lake Basin region. The primary objective of this meeting was to enhance collaboration and information sharing in combating the prevalent issues of counterfeit and illicit trade within the area.
Taking the lead in this endeavor, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) engages different stakeholders including partner government agencies and the trade community to foster legitimate trade practices. The paramount goal is to shield both the public and businesses from the harmful effects of counterfeit products, intellectual property theft, and unfair trade practices.
In a joint effort to combat Intellectual Property (IP) theft within the country, private investigators are calling for a unified approach and closer collaboration with government agencies.
The call for streamlined engagement was made during a meeting between Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), and Mr. Fredrick Saramba, Chairman of the Intellectual Property Rights Agents Society of Kenya (IPRASK), along with his team members, held in Nairobi today.
The Authority has announced an addition of 18 more staff members who have joined the Authority this month. The additions include One (1) Director and Two (2) Deputy Directors and Seven (7) Anti-Counterfeit Inspectors among other roles.
The new employees will undergo a four-day induction program at the College of Insurance at South C, Nairobi in line with ACA recruitment policy to acquaint new employees’ with knowledge and culture of the organization.
Nairobi, Kenya 27th June 2023.
In line with our mandate to co-ordinate and collaborate with other organizations involved in combating counterfeiting, today we hosted a delagation from copyright and related rights Collective Management Organisations (CMOS’s).
The visitors were led by the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Association of Music Producers Mr. Maurice Akoth and included representatives from Music Copyright Society of Kenya and Performer Rights Society of Kenya. Discussions were based on possible areas of collaboration to ensure protection and growth of the creative industry in Kenya.
Nairobi, Kenya 26th June 2023
Today we played host to a delegation from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers led by the Board Director, Legal and Regulatory Committee Mr. Rajan Malde at ACA headquarter offices in Nairobi. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration between two organizations in the fight against counterfeit trade among others.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has been at the forefront of advocating for policy and legal reforms to protect the manufacturing sector members from the scourges of trade in counterfeit products that are threating their profitability and sustainability.
The threat to global economies by the increased infringement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is real and continues to grow larger every day. Figures by the World Economic Forum estimates that counterfeiting and illicit trade presently deprives the global economy of $2.2 trillion annually, accounting for nearly three per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP),
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority, the Attorney General Africa – Africa Programme and other stakeholders in the IP industry are hosting a unique IP Enforcement symposium in Nairobi, Kenya on June 13-15. The forum convenes prominent stakeholders, policymakers, legal experts, industry leaders, and international organizations involved in trade, intellectual property protection and enforcement.
As part of ACA corporate social responsibility and in compliance with national tree restoration campaign for environmental sustainability, the Chairman of the Board of Directors Hon. Josephat Kabeabea led staff and management of the Authority in the inaugural tree planting exercise in Muuni Hills, Makuli Forest, Makueni county.
The event was attended by locals of Kibwezi West constituency. Leaders of national and county government planted over 2000 seedlings. The Authority donated the indigenous tree seedlings through Eco-Green Initiative, a local environment advocacy farmer group on recommendation from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry based in Makueni county.
Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Anti Counterfeit Authority of Kenya and Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) in Mombasa.
Thursday, May 16th 2023, Mombasa, Kenya.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA) and Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen strategic collaboration between the two parties to deter illegitimate shipments of counterfeit and illicit goods in the region.
Nairobi, Kenya – The Anti-Counterfeit Authority and Kenya Industrial Property Institute joins the world in celebrating World Intellectual Property Day (WAPD) on April 26, 2023. The WAPD aims to raise public awareness of the role of intellectual property rights in encouraging innovation and creativity.
This year’s theme is: “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovating and Creativity” gives focus to the role of women promotion of creativity and innovation for social- economic development of the society.
Mercury Hotel, Upperhill, Nairobi, Kenya.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA) and Uganda’s Anti-Counterfeit Network Limited (ACN Africa) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 20, 2023 at Nairobi to strengthen strategic collaboration on matters pertaining to counterfeit goods in the East African region.
Speaking at the Press Conference, ACA’s Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge said “the MoU represents a statement of mutual intentions between our two institutions focusing on developing and strengthening a robust IP system in the region.”
Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA)
National Water Plaza
3rd Flr, Dunga Rd Industrial Area,
P.O. Box, 47771-00100 (GPO), Nairobi, Kenya.
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Email:
Phone: +254 20-2280000
Mobile: +254 717 430 640
