NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 29 – A Chinese national has been arrested in Nairobi’s Gikomba market after the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) seized 65,000 counterfeit socks and apparel worth an estimated Sh50 million in one of the year’s largest pre-holiday crackdowns.
The raid, triggered by an intellectual-property complaint filed by Spoor & Fisher on behalf of global brands, uncovered a shipment that ACA says had been routed through Uganda to disguise its origin ahead of peak festive sales.
ACA Nairobi Regional Manager Abdi Abikar said the suspect intended to flood the market with substandard items during the holiday shopping period.
ACA officers, working with trademark agents, confirmed the seized merchandise was of poor quality and posed health and safety risks, while eroding revenue for legitimate manufacturers and traders.
The suspect, deemed a flight risk, is being held at Kamukunji Police Station as authorities trace his supply network and cross-border distribution route.
ACA Executive Director Robi M. King’a said the operation reflects heightened surveillance under the agency’s Holiday Anti-Counterfeit Enforcement Campaign, targeting hotspots such as Gikomba, Kamukunji, Eastleigh and the Nairobi CBD.
