A Chinese national has been nabbed in Gikomba Market after the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) seized 65,000 counterfeit socks and apparel valued at approximately Ksh50 million.
According to the authority, the man was nabbed after several global brands filed a complaint against the man, whom they accused of using their trademarks unlawfully, which, in turn, prompted the authority to launch investigations into the individuals.
ACA Nairobi Regional Manager Abdi Abikar, who led the raid, noted that the shipment was allegedly transshipped through Uganda to conceal its origin.
The authority believes that the individual was a key distributor who was planning to release the counterfeit socks into the market during the festive season.
“This shipment was routed through Uganda to disguise its entry into the country, and the distributor intended to release these substandard goods during the peak holiday season,” Abikar said.
"The suspect, considered a flight risk, was detained at Kamukunji Police Station. Authorities are now tracing his supply network, cross-border trafficking route, and possible local collaborators," the authority said.
The authority's Executive Director, Robi King'a, noted that if the fake socks had entered the market, they would have posed serious health and safety concerns to consumers, in addition to significant economic losses.
The individual, who has been considered a flight risk, is currently being detained at the Kamukunji police station, while authorities track his supply network and cross-border trafficking route.
“Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. It destroys jobs, wipes out industries, and exposes consumers to unsafe products. Our enforcement is not harassment—it is consumer protection,” King'a said.
"ACA officers, working alongside trademark agents, confirmed that the seized socks and apparel—bearing popular international brand names—were of poor quality," the authority added.
King'a affirmed that it will reinforce surveillance during the festive season, especially in Gikomba, Kamukunji, Eastleigh, and the Nairobi CBD, which are known to be hotspots for counterfeit goods, especially in the festive season.
"Genuine traders stand to gain the most when counterfeit networks are dismantled, as fake merchandise depresses prices, erodes customer confidence, and undermines Kenya’s manufacturing and retail sectors," King'a said.
