By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, December 29 2025 - As holiday shopping picked up across Kenya this season, authorities and consumer advocates
are warning of a sharp rise in counterfeit products flooding markets, a predictable yet costly trend tied to increased festive demand.
Loose enforcement, high consumer traffic and opportunistic sellers have made Christmas and New Year’s shopping periods prime time for the sale of fake goods, from household essentials to electronics and cosmetics.
According to the Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), counterfeit trading intensifies during peak shopping seasons, costing the Kenyan economy hundreds of millions of shillings annually and exposing consumers to health, safety and financial risks.
“Festive spending creates conditions that opportunistic counterfeiters exploit,” said ACA Director General John Nyaga. “High demand for cheap goods, coupled with limited enforcement reach in some areas, allows fake products to persist in the market.”
Counterfeits are being reported in busy urban corridors such as Gikomba Market in Nairobi,Kisumu’s Kondele area, and Mombasa’s Kongowea Market, as well as in smaller town centres where festive crowds gather. Common fake items include:
1. Electronics accessories like chargers, speakers
2. Cosmetics and skincare products
3. Branded clothing and shoes
4. Packaged foodstuffs
5. Household detergents and personal care items
A 2025 analysis estimates that the counterfeit goods trade could be contributing to losses exceeding KSh 100 billion annually, a blend of lost revenue for legitimate manufacturers, reduced tax collections and consumer harm. Fake products present more than just a financial loss, they can pose real health and safety hazards.
Regulators note that counterfeit cosmetics often contain harmful chemicals, and fake electronics accessories may not meet safety standards, increasing risks of fire and electrical shock.
“I bought what I thought was a discount charger for my phone, but it melted after only a few uses,” said Jane Odhiambo, a Nairobi shopper. “Now I’m worried about what other fake items I might have inadvertently bought for the holidays.”
In response to the seasonal spike, Kenya’s ACA and local law enforcement agencies have stepped up enforcement activities, conducting raids and seizing fake products from stalls and warehouses in major markets.
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In November 2025, the ACA reported hundreds of thousands of counterfeit goods seized in coordinated operations in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
In some cases, suspects have been arrested and charged under the Anti-Counterfeit Act (2008), with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. However, enforcement remains a challenge given the sheer volume of goods and the nimble nature of counterfeit supply chains, which often shift locations and vendors quickly to evade detection.
Retailers and manufacturers argue that the counterfeit trade undermines consumer confidence and erodes brand value, potentially deterring investment in local production and retail expansion.
“Why invest in quality Kenyan textile manufacturing if fake versions saturate the market every festive season?” asked Samuel Mwaniki, owner of a small apparel brand in Thika. “This affects our sales and damages our reputation.”
The Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development has reiterated its commitment to strengthening anti-counterfeit measures, including:
1. Enhanced market inspections during peak seasons
2. Public awareness campaigns on identifying genuine products
3. Collaboration with stakeholders in logistics, manufacturing and e-commerce platforms
Officials say digital marketplaces are also key battlegrounds, with some online sellers listing counterfeit goods. Plans are underway to work with tech platforms to tighten authentication and seller verification.
Authorities and consumer groups urge buyers to exercise caution during peak shopping:
1. Buy from reputable vendors and authorised dealers
2. Check product labels and certification marks
3. Compare prices, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
4. Use official brand websites or authorised online stores
5. Report suspected fakes to ACA or consumer protection hotlines
As festive crowds disperse and holiday gifting winds down, experts warn that counterfeit risks remain through January’s post-holiday sales and back-to-school shopping surge, a reminder that vigilance is a year-round necessity.
