Government Doing a Good Job in Fighting Illicit Trade – KAM

Kenya Association of Manufacturers has lauded the Government’s efforts to step up the fight against counterfeits and illicit trade in the country.

KAM said that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s appointment of the Deputy Head of Civil Service, Wanyama Musiambo, to spearhead this campaign, is a much-needed intervention in the fight against the growing criminal networks. 

“Recent investigative activities and seizures by Government agencies and state departments such as, confiscation of fake contraceptives led by CS Adan Mohammed, the destruction of 15 million worth of illicit alcohol in Kisumu by KRA and dumping of 400 tons of contraband sugar by PS, State Department of Trade, among others, are an indication that the intervention is bearing fruit for industry and consumers,” read a statement from KAM.  

The fight against illicit trade has been a difficult task despite numerous collaborative efforts by both Government and Industry. “The keenness, to embolden these initiatives, by the Office of the President assures investors of the full Government support in terms of resources, intelligence, and security apparatus,” said KAM.

According to a study on the vice of counterfeiting in Kenya, which was done in 2012, it is estimated that an approximate Kshs 30 billion (US$ 42 million) is lost by Kenyan manufacturers per year, while the Government loses over Kshs 6 billion (US$80million) annually as potential tax revenue.

Counterfeits and illicit trade diminish our efforts to achieve the Big Four Plan as a country because every pillar of the agenda is gravely affected and inundated with counterfeits and criminal networks. It is high time we extinguish these activities as they imperil our economic development, governance structures, national security, and supply chain integrity.