Kenya Loses Ksh 800 Billion Annually to Counterfeit Market, Survey Reveals

A new report by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has revealed that counterfeit goods continue to flood the Kenyan market, costing the country over Ksh 800 billion annually in lost revenue and endangering public health and safety.

The Anti-Counterfeit Consumer Survey 2025 paints a grim picture, showing that 8 out of 10 Kenyans have encountered counterfeit products, ranging from everyday items like toothpaste and fruit juices to life-saving medicines and agricultural inputs.

Alarmingly, counterfeit medicines, particularly antibiotics and malaria drugs, top the list, accounting for 89.28% of all fake pharmaceuticals in the country. ACA warns that these fake drugs pose a severe risk to public health by contributing to drug resistance and treatment failures.

The agricultural sector is also heavily affected, with 89.16% of respondents reporting encounters with counterfeit pesticides, fertilizers, and animal feeds. Personal care products such as skincare creams, shampoos, and sanitizers come close behind at 88.32%, while the automotive and construction industries have seen counterfeit rates of 81.89% and 76.72%, respectively.

Petroleum products, including lubricants and fuel, are also increasingly being faked, affecting 76.68% of consumers surveyed. Even beverages are not spared, 75.89% reported encountering counterfeit soft drinks and fruit juices. Alcoholic beverages are also impacted, with counterfeit wine leading at 50.12%, followed by beer (47.44%), whiskey (42.68%), and vodka (36.95%).

ACA Executive Director Robi Mbugua expressed deep concern over the rise in online counterfeit sales, which now account for 31.27% of such purchases. He also pointed out that price-conscious consumers often opt for cheaper alternatives, unknowingly exposing themselves to substandard and harmful products.

The report highlights that most counterfeit purchases are made from street vendors (59.37%), shops and kiosks (54.42%), and even supermarkets (21%), showing the wide reach and infiltration of fake goods into formal and informal markets.

As counterfeit trade continues to grow, ACA is calling for stronger enforcement, increased consumer awareness, and collaboration across sectors to stem the tide and protect both the economy and public well-being.

Written By Rodney Mbua