By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 21 May 2026 - Kenya has stepped up efforts to combat illicit trade and counterfeit goods at its ports of entry through a renewed multi-agency campaign bringing together public and private sector players.
Officials from the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) met with a multi-agency team to review strategies aimed at sealing loopholes exploited by smugglers and counterfeit traders.
Deputy Director of Domestic Trade Mathew Komen said the government was determined to strengthen border controls in order to create a safer and more trade-friendly environment.
“The government is determined to seal all loopholes at border points to create a safer and more trade-friendly environment,” said Mr Komen, who led the discussions.
He said the crackdown would rely on enhanced inter-agency collaboration, adoption of smart technology, improved data sharing, as well as training and capacity building for officers involved in cargo clearance and inspections.
According to Mr Komen, the measures are expected to strengthen cargo security and improve compliance across global supply chains.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Manager for Security Services Tony Kibwana, who represented Managing Director Capt William Ruto, said the coordinated approach had already yielded positive results in reducing illicit trade activities at the Port of Mombasa and other facilities.
“Joint efforts by the multiagency team have been instrumental in curbing illicit trade at the Port of Mombasa and other facilities,” said Mr Kibwana.
He added that closer cooperation among agencies was critical in safeguarding international trade, protecting consumers from counterfeit products, and enhancing the integrity and efficiency of Kenya’s ports and logistics systems.
The renewed push comes amid mounting concern over the scale of illicit trade in the country.
Three days ago, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) warned that Kenya is losing an estimated Sh800 billion annually to illicit trade, including counterfeit goods, smuggling and tax evasion.
Speaking during the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Partnership Forum on Combating Illicit Trade in Nairobi, ACA Executive Director Robi King’a described the vice as a growing economic crisis accounting for nearly nine per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“One in five products on the Kenyan market today is counterfeit. Forty-four thousand jobs are erased annually, and the State foregoes Sh153 billion in tax revenue. This is not a fringe issue; it is an economic policy emergency,” said Dr King’a.
The forum brought together manufacturers, regulators, legal experts, brand owners and industry associations to explore ways of addressing the spread of counterfeit and substandard goods.
Dr King’a warned that illicit trade networks were increasingly shifting to online platforms, making enforcement more complex.
“The threat is shifting. Enforcement that was built for ports and warehouses must now reach where consumers actually shop,” he said.
According to ACA, online marketplaces now account for more than 30% of counterfeit transactions in Kenya, further complicating enforcement efforts.
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