What began in the back alleys of Baba Dogo has now moved to your smartphone screen.
Kenya is facing a new kind of counterfeit war one fought not just in dusty markets and side-street stalls, but in the digital spaces where more and more of life now happens.
According to a new national survey by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), nearly one in three counterfeit purchases in Kenya now happens online. That’s a sharp and worrying shift. Supermarkets, once seen as safe, are now implicated too, with over 21% of counterfeit sales traced to these shelves. Street vendors and small kiosks still dominate the trade, but the internet is fast catching up.
“We’re not just talking about knock-off sunglasses anymore,” said Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, Executive Director of the ACA. “We’re seeing fake medicines, fake fertilizers, even fake car parts. These products are not just misleading they’re dangerous.”
The Digital Marketplace: A New Frontline
From Instagram pages to WhatsApp groups, counterfeiters have found new ways to reach Kenyan consumers. Social media now doubles as a storefront, and often, there’s no clear way to verify the seller or the goods.
The 2024 Consumer-Level Survey found that 60.48% of Kenyans had bought a fake product in the past year. Alarmingly, the vast majority didn’t know it at the time. Many only realized once the product failed or worse, caused harm.
“In some cases, people are using fake cosmetics that cause serious skin problems, or buying seeds that simply don’t grow,” said consumer rights advocate Jane Nyaribo. “We’re seeing heartbreak, health risks, and financial loss. It’s not a small issue it’s touching lives across the country.”
Shoppers Lured by Price and Speed
The online shift is driven by a mix of convenience and cost. Online platforms often promise fast delivery and cheaper prices. For shoppers under financial pressure, it’s hard to resist. But with fewer controls in place, it’s easy for fakes to slip through.
“Verification tools are limited. If the site looks professional, most people assume it’s legitimate,” said Nyaribo. “But that’s just not the case anymore.”
Supermarkets in the Spotlight
The ACA’s report also shines a light on the rise of counterfeits in formal retail outlets. Supermarkets, long trusted by the public, now face scrutiny. One in five counterfeit goods was bought from these stores, according to respondents.
Experts say the problem lies partly in weak supply chain checks and lack of product tracking. While most supermarkets deny knowingly selling fake items, enforcement officers say the gaps are real and growing.
Enforcement Is Playing Catch-Up
Traditional methods—like border checks and market raids are still important, but they’re no longer enough.
“The counterfeiters are faster than the laws,” admitted Dr. Njoroge. “We need new tools, better data, and stronger cooperation especially online.”
The ACA is now working with the Communications Authority of Kenya and e-commerce platforms to tackle the issue at its source. They’re testing new ways to tag products with verification codes and are rolling out SMS-based checks for consumers.
They’re also leaning heavily on public education.
“If people know what to look for, they’re much harder to fool,” said Njoroge. “We’re doing town halls, digital campaigns, vernacular messaging you name it.”
The Legal System Needs to Catch Up
Lawmakers are also being urged to act. Kenya’s current laws, many written before the explosion of digital commerce, are struggling to keep pace.
“There are too many grey areas,” said lawyer and IP specialist Peter Mumo. “Who is responsible when a counterfeit is sold on an international platform? Who’s liable the seller, the website, the delivery company?”
The ACA is pushing for a revamp of Kenya’s consumer protection and intellectual property laws, with hopes that regional neighbours in the East African Community will follow suit.
The Bigger Picture: Trust in the Market
Ultimately, the rise in counterfeits is about more than fake goods. It’s about trust in the marketplace, in institutions, and in the future.
Kenya’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into a globally competitive, industrialised nation. But experts warn that this future depends on clean, fair markets.
“You can’t build a strong economy on fake seeds, fake drugs, and fake electronics,” said Dr. Njoroge. “If we want investment, growth, and innovation, we need to get serious about this.”
A Call to Action
The battle against counterfeits may be complex, but it’s not hopeless. With bold leadership, better regulation, and a well-informed public, change is possible.
“It’s a fight we can win,” said Dr. Njoroge. “But we must meet the enemy where they are now—not where they were ten years ago.”
For now, the fake goods trade continues to adapt, shift, and hide in plain sight. But so too does Kenya’s response faster, smarter, and more determined than ever.
