In a bid to combat the sale of illicit and counterfeit alcohol in the country, the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) in association with EABL have put in place measures to ensure consumer safety and compliance during the festive season.
The measures put in place include sensitization workshops for the National Police service who are in the first line of defense in the war against counterfeits.
Speaking in Murang’a during a sensitization forum that brought together top security teams from Kirinyaga and Murang’a Counties, the Regional police commander Central region Samuel Nganyi observed that concerted efforts amongst all stakeholders is paramount in curbing the menace.
“Our aim as the National police service, the APS, and the DCI is to protect the consumer by bringing an end to sale and distribution of illicit and counterfeit alcohol in this region that is why we have brought together the sub county and county commanders to sensitize them on the same,” he said.
“We have held similar training in Nyeri and this time we have expanded targeted by bringing on board the traffic officers’ department to ensure this region is safe especially during the festive season where consumers are likely to ignore public health concerns in indulgence,” he added.
He noted that winning the fight against counterfeits would be an exercise in futility if the EABL is not on board as only they can guide the service on how to identify what is legit and what is not.
“Counterfeits are becoming very sophisticated nowadays but even so we have still made headways in this fight as already so many people have been arrested and arraigned for distribution of counterfeits,” he said.
Moreover, the police commander called on community involvement and vigilance in identifying and reporting illegal sales while also urging the county governments to collaborate in the fight.
Further he assured the residents of their heightened security measures during the festive season.
“We will do our work of protecting life and property during the festive season because we know some people can take advantage of the season to reap where they did not sow,” he added
The Chairperson Public Policy Committee with ABAK Zack Munyi reiterated that the fight against counterfeits was far from over as a study conducted in 2023 revealed that 59 percent of alcohol sold in Kenya is illicit and counterfeit.
“We are grappling with high levels of counterfeits and that is where we have brought the NPS who we recognize are on the ground on board and sensitive them on how to differentiate legitimate and counterfeit.”
He noted that as the ABAK association their main concern when it comes to counterfeits is public health concern as indulgence and the latter comes with a huge health burden and even loss of lives.
“The loss is not only in terms of value and revenue which we approximate to be at sh71billion of uncollected levies from counterfeits, the loss of life and health burden from substandard alcohol is a cause for alarm, and “We want to mitigate the ills associated with sale of illicit brews.”
Samuel Matano, the chairperson Anti-Illicit Trade Committee of the ABAK noted that the association has contracted private investigators who are actively looking for the presence of illegal products in the market and share the information with law enforcing officers for legal action to be taken.
“However, the wheels of justice are a bit slow and painful and you find that the laws are not deterrent enough and this derails the fight against counterfeits as the sentences are not stringent enough” he said.
By Florence Kinyua
