NAIROBI, Kenya, June 18 – The Government has unveiled a new tamper-evident security marking system aimed at strengthening the fight against counterfeit goods and improving product traceability across supply chains.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) said the digital authentication system will require selected high-risk products to carry a security mark before entering the Kenyan market.
The initiative is expected to enable consumers, retailers and enforcement agencies to verify the authenticity of products in real time as counterfeit traders increasingly shift operations to online platforms and cross-border networks.
ACA Board Chairman Nelson Gaichuhie said existing laws are struggling to keep pace with evolving counterfeit schemes.
“The law has not kept pace with the criminal. So we will change the law,” he said, noting that the reforms are intended to align enforcement mechanisms with modern trade realities.
The first phase of implementation will target sectors considered highly vulnerable to counterfeiting, including pharmaceuticals, alcoholic beverages, agrochemicals, food products, cosmetics, bottled water, and selected electrical and automotive safety components.
Under the system, security marks will be applied at the point of manufacture or importation and linked to a central database that allows authorities to track products throughout the supply chain and generate intelligence from every verification scan.
The move is expected to improve product traceability and brand protection, although manufacturers and importers may face additional compliance requirements as they integrate the technology into their operations.
ACA Executive Director Robi King’a said the rapid growth of online commerce has created new challenges for enforcement agencies.
“More than 30 percent of counterfeit transactions in Kenya now happen online. The fake market has moved from the back-room to the smartphone and so must our enforcement,” he said.
The authority indicated that the rollout will be phased to allow consultations with industry players and minimize disruptions to legitimate trade while gradually expanding coverage to more product categories.
The initiative also aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen intellectual property protection and harmonize anti-counterfeit enforcement measures across East Africa.
