Public servants from at least six government agencies have been listed in a latest crackdown announced at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Flanked by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett and DCI boss George Kinoti, the deputy head of public service Wanyama Musiambo stated that government officials at the country's entry points were letting contraband goods enter the Kenyan market.This, he warned, puts lives in danger as a range of goods ranging from foodstuffs and medicine used locally are fake.
Musiambo who has been leading a number of raids in parts of Nairobi and Kiambu counties listed customs office staff, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) employees, the Kenya Bureau Of Standards (KEBS), Anti Counterfeits Authority and public health officials as a let down.
[caption caption="Counterfeit sugar at DCI headquarters "]
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He also put on notice the pharmaceuticals and poisons board together with the weights and measurements authority offices at border points for not doing their job.
This follows a seizure of several tonnes of contraband sugar labelled as unfit for human consumption and another 504 containers of cooking oil in Nairobi's Eastleigh estate.
"Each of the public servants at our entry points will have to account for their role in this. They wake up to work on a daily basis and are expected to ensure that illicit goods do not get into the country. For this to happen, it means some people are looking on the opposite side," warned the agitated Musiambo.
Boinett during the address to the media urged businessmen in the country to be wary where they obtain their merchandise warning that a number of them could be dealing in killer products.
"The sourcing, production and sale of counterfeit goods has hurt a lot of local industries that are now suffering because of the proliferation of such products in the market. Our concern is on its impact on the health and safety of the people.
"The days of dealing contraband goods are coming to an end.Those in such businesses should look for different ventures," added Mr Boinnet.
[caption caption="Seized counterfeit sugar at DCI headquarters "]
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The IG revealed that there were three suspects arrested over the unsafe sugar that he feared were clearly for sale in the local market after repackaging as various brands.
The KEBS and anti-counterfeits agency bosses were last week summoned and grilled by the DCIO and were required to give details of illegal sugar dealers and counterfeit tobacco business dens.
