By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, April 23, 2026 - Kenyan authorities are engaging manufacturers whose alcohol brands are widely counterfeited and distributed in Nyeri County in a renewed effort to seal loopholes fueling the proliferation of fake and illicit products in the market.
The engagement, led by the county multi-agency enforcement team, is aimed at strengthening collaboration with manufacturers and distributors to ensure better control of packaging materials, accountability of products, and elimination of supply chain gaps that have been exploited by counterfeiters.
Nyeri County Commissioner Josephat Biwott said the consultations will bring together key manufacturers and distributors to address concerns over repeated counterfeiting of well-known brands and improve cooperation in enforcement efforts.
“We want to sit with the three manufacturers, Patiala, Zheng Hong, and FRM, and distributors to ensure that we have an agreement because we want to see their input in this fight,” said Biwott. “We want to know why we are getting counterfeits in Nyeri that are associated with their brand and why some of the manufacturers are not supporting us to get rid of these counterfeits.”
He said the talks will also focus on strengthening bottle accountability systems, noting that empty containers have been widely misused to repackage counterfeit alcohol.
“We want to engage the manufacturers and bar owners and have them take responsibility for their bottles,” he said. “We have agreed with the County Government on how to destroy used bottles because they are being misused to package these counterfeits.”
Biwott warned that manufacturers who fail to cooperate risk punitive action, including recommendations for de-licensing by the National Alcohol Control Committee.
The engagement comes as authorities intensify enforcement operations that have seen counterfeit goods worth Sh3.8 million seized and earmarked for destruction.
The consignments, now under the custody of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority for disposal at the Athi River warehouse, include 19,700 bottles of counterfeit alcohol branded as Diamond Ice, Jambo Ice, Best, Blue Ice, and Triger Ice.
Other seized items include fake cosmetics, motor vehicle lubricants, spare parts, stationery such as geometrical sets, and assorted electronic goods confiscated during raids conducted across Nyeri County over the past nine months.
Biwott said the multi-agency crackdown has recorded notable progress, particularly in tackling illicit brews and counterfeit alcohol, which remain the most persistent challenge.
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“Our biggest challenge in this fight has been eradicating counterfeit alcohol,” he said. “There was a weak link in coordination, but since our first meeting in January as the County Multi-Agency Committee, we are progressing well.”
He noted that improved coordination among enforcement agencies, including the National Government Administration Officers, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Public Health officials, and county enforcement teams, has strengthened operations and evidence gathering.
The commissioner further disclosed that collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary has enhanced prosecution efforts, with one key suspect already in court.
Authorities are now moving to fast-track cases involving counterfeit alcohol through improved police investigations and faster laboratory analysis by the Government Chemist.
“We want to expedite the hearing and conclusion of court cases by providing all the required evidence and support so that the cases are concluded within a very short time,” Biwott said.
He added that distributors and bar owners have been directed to maintain proper stock records to ensure traceability of alcohol products in circulation.
“When you do not have documents to account for the alcohol, it means you are part and parcel of this racket,” he warned.
Biwott cautioned traders involved in the illicit trade that enforcement agencies will not relent until counterfeit and illegal alcohol is eliminated from the market.
“We will make sure we get rid of these counterfeits so that the public can consume safe and legal alcohol, not poison,” he said.