- Kenya has been cited by the US for failing to effectively combat the entry and sale of counterfeit goods.
- The US says weak enforcement of intellectual property rights is to blame for the country’s thriving fake goods market.
- Fake items like medicine, food, electronics, cosmetics, and clothing are flooding the Kenyan market.
- Most counterfeits entering Kenya originate from Asian countries, especially China, India, and Vietnam.
- The report also named Kenya among countries with problematic copyright collection systems.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has named Kenya as one of the countries struggling to contain counterfeit goods, citing weak enforcement structures.
This was revealed in the 2025 Special 301 Report, released on Tuesday, April 29 by the US Trade Representative’s Office, which monitors global intellectual property (IP) protection.
According to the findings, Kenya’s IP system is fragile, allowing counterfeit items to easily enter and circulate in the local market.
Fake Goods on the Rise—From Medicines to Mobile Parts
The report paints a worrying picture: counterfeit goods in Kenya now span nearly every sector—from semiconductors and chemicals to pharmaceuticals, auto parts, foodstuffs, cosmetics, clothes, and toys.
The report also emphasized that these fake products pose major risks to health, safety, and innovation.
Where the Fakes Come From
Many of the fake goods originate from Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, the UAE, and even Chile.
The counterfeit items are shipped directly to consumers or rerouted through global transit hubs, making their way to target markets like Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, and Mexico.
“As production moves from China to Southeast Asia, countries like Vietnam have become key sources of fake products,” the report noted.
Pharmaceuticals Among Top Concerns
Of special concern to the US were fake pharmaceuticals, which are now being produced and trafficked across the globe.
The top sources of counterfeit medicines seized at US borders last year were India, China (including Hong Kong), Singapore, and the UAE.
Copyright Bodies Also Under Fire
The report didn’t stop at physical goods. It also took aim at Collective Management Organisations (CMOs)—the bodies that collect and distribute royalties for copyright holders.
Kenya, along with India and Nigeria, was listed among countries with dysfunctional or confusing CMO systems.
The US noted that operational gaps in Kenya’s CMOs are leaving rights holders and music users unsure about who to pay or where to direct royalty claims.
Local Crackdowns Ongoing, But Challenges Remain
Back home, Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) is actively working to fight the menace.
Its current operations focus on agricultural goods and consumer products, with teams seizing counterfeit items, breaking supply chains, and arresting offenders.
However, with growing international concern, questions are being raised about whether these efforts are enough—or merely scratching the surface.
