Update: The permit for Pure Magic (PM) Hand Sanitizer from Aromakare Limited was renewed after KEBS re-tested their product and found it compliant with required standards.
Government heightened its crackdown on fake sanitizers by seizing eight brands of counterfeit brands in Nairobi and Nakuru.
A report by Citizen Digital on Thursday, March 19, detailed that officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards seized the fake brands from Nakuru and Nairobi as the Directorate of Criminal Investigation launched a manhunt for the manufacturers.
“We received information from members of the public that, some traders are selling sanitizers without the standardization mark (SM) from KEBS, meaning they are fake, and we are working with the Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) to nab the manufacturers who are on the run,” KEBS Director Peter Gaigwara stated.
The brands include OPTZAR Advanced (Opttum Enterprises Ltd), 0-Germs (Nakuru), Angelicas Luxury (A & J London in South C), Dulax, San Gel (Dulax Enterprises in Kariobangi), Lulu (Map Cleaning Services Ltd), and Vicente (Vicente Caps, Thika Road).
The fake brands of sanitizers are flocking the market after Kenyans went on panicking shopping following the confirmation of Coronavirus cases in the country.
The government resolved to manufacture alcohol-based sanitizers and distribute them to members of the public for free in line with a directive to curb the spread of Covid-19.
In a statement dated March 18, seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the government called upon factories in the country to ensure smooth manufacture and distribution of the products to members of the public, noting recommendations by World Health Organisation on the use of alcohol-based sanitizers.
"The government is desirous of distributing affordable sanitizers to the general public. To this end, corporations in the oil industry have volunteered to produce alcohol-based sanitizers for distribution for free to the general public," the statement read in part.
It also directed that the Multi-Agency Team identify all ethanol impounded at all entry points in the country, and release it to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
Another issue surrounding the highly sought sanitizers is the increase in prices. On March 16, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) took action against Cleanshelf Supermarket after citizens raised complaints on social media over arbitrary price hikes at the supermarket's Ruaka branch.
The CAK ordered the supermarket to track down and refund all customers who purchased the sanitizer at inflated prices by Thursday, March 26.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had on Sunday, March 15 warned that stern action would be taken on traders who hoarded goods or unfairly increased prices to capitalise on the depressed economic environment resulting from the Coronavirus outbreak.
