ACA Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Counterfeit Alcohol, Fake Fertiliser and Substandard School Supplies

Authority reports 36 arrests, thousands of suspected counterfeit alcohol bottles seized as it warns traders against exploiting consumers during festive season

By Bruno Aero Family Media News Desk

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 22, 2026  

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has announced intensified nationwide enforcement operations targeting counterfeit alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, illegally repackaged fertiliser and substandard school stationery, warning traders that they will face continued scrutiny as the festive and planting seasons approach.

ACA Board of Directors Chairperson Nelson Ributhi Gaichuhie said the crackdown was aimed at protecting consumers, safeguarding farmers, preserving government revenue and ensuring students have access to genuine learning materials.

In a statement issued in Nairobi on Thursday, Gaichuhie said counterfeit and illicit trade continued to impose significant economic and social costs on Kenyans, exposing consumers to potentially dangerous products while undermining legitimate businesses.

“The cost of counterfeit and illicit trade cannot be measured in money alone,”

Gaichuhie said, pointing to the risks facing farmers using fake agricultural inputs, consumers exposed to unsafe alcohol and students relying on substandard educational materials crackdown exposes scale of counterfeit alcohol trade

Recent enforcement operations have revealed the scale of the illicit alcohol business, with multi-agency teams recording 36 arrests and apprehensions and recovering more than 5,555 suspected counterfeit bottles alongside approximately 39,580 litres of illicit brew.

The operations, conducted between August 20 and September 3, 2026, targeted high-risk areas across Nairobi.

Dagoretti North accounted for approximately 27,330 litres of recovered illicit alcohol, while more than 5,000 bottles were seized in Kayole. Officers also recovered 868 assorted alcoholic beverages in Eastleigh.

In a separate operation on September 15, ACA officers working alongside police seized 8,459 suspected counterfeit alcoholic products valued at approximately KSh2.1 million in Makindu.

Further seizures in Nairobi, Nyeri and Eldoret brought the value of goods recovered in September to approximately KSh3.74 million.

The Authority said the operations formed part of a broader strategy to disrupt counterfeit supply chains and prevent dangerous products from reaching the public.

Fake tobacco and nicotine products in enforcement spotlight

The crackdown will also target counterfeit cigarettes, forged excise stamps and imitation versions of registered tobacco brands.

Other products under scrutiny include counterfeit nicotine products, electronic cigarettes, vapes, refill liquids, rolling papers and filters.

According to the Authority, such products may be manufactured outside regulatory oversight, making it difficult to verify their ingredients and safety.

The trade also deprives the government of revenue and creates unfair competition for legitimate manufacturers.

ACA said it would strengthen enforcement in the sector in collaboration with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Ministry of Health and other rights holders.

Fake subsidised fertiliser scheme uncovered

In a development raising concerns about agricultural supply chains, ACA officers recently seized illegally repackaged fertiliser in Matungu, Kakamega County, alongside two loaded lorries and industrial packaging equipment.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fertiliser had been diverted from the government subsidy programme and repackaged in counterfeit branded bags for sale at commercial prices.

The alleged scheme threatens the objective of making farm inputs affordable to ordinary Kenyan farmers, particularly as the country approaches the planting season.

The Authority warned that the misuse of subsidised agricultural inputs undermines government efforts to support farmers and can expose them to financial losses when products are misrepresented.

The seizure forms part of the Authority's expanded focus on counterfeit agricultural inputs, with enforcement expected to increase as demand for fertiliser rises.

Schools face crackdown on counterfeit stationery

With national examinations underway, the Authority is also turning its attention to pirated textbooks, revision materials, counterfeit calculators and mathematical sets bearing imitations of registered brands and publishers.

ACA warned that pirated learning materials could contain errors, omissions or outdated information, potentially affecting students' preparation and learning outcomes.

Counterfeit calculators and mathematical sets may also fail to meet required accuracy standards, putting students at a disadvantage during examinations.

School stationery was among the highest-value categories of goods identified in the

 

Authority's most recent destruction exercise.

The Authority plans to step up inspections of bookshops, stationery wholesalers and suppliers serving schools to ensure that educational materials meet the required standards and originate from legitimate sources.

Festive season prompts heightened surveillance

Gaichuhie said enforcement would be intensified over the coming weeks as demand for alcohol, tobacco, foodstuffs and personal care products rises during the festive season.

The anticipated increase in demand for fertiliser during the planting season has also prompted the Authority to prioritise agricultural inputs.

the nationwide operation will focus on counterfeit and illicit alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, foodstuffs, school stationery, learning materials and agricultural inputs.

The Authority said the campaign would combine enforcement with public awareness to help consumers identify suspicious products and avoid purchasing counterfeit goods.

Consumers urged to verify products before purchase

ACA has urged Kenyans to purchase goods from licensed and reputable outlets and to inspect seals, labels and packaging before making purchases consumers have also been advised to verify excise stamps and standardisation marks through official channels rather than relying solely on product appearance.

farmers have been cautioned to obtain subsidised fertiliser only through authorised distribution channels, while parents and schools have been encouraged to source textbooks, stationery and other learning materials from authorised publishers and suppliers.

members of the public who suspect that products are counterfeit can report them through the Authority's official channels or visit any ACA regional office. The Authority said information received would be handled confidentially.

Warning to counterfeit traders

The latest announcement signals a tougher enforcement approach against traders suspected of dealing in counterfeit and illicit products, with the Authority seeking to protect public health, support legitimate businesses and safeguard the integrity of government programmes.

Gaichuhie maintained that the crackdown would continue, particularly in sectors where counterfeit goods threaten consumer safety, farmers' livelihoods and students' access to quality educational materials.

As the festive season and planting period approach, the Authority is urging businesses to comply with the law and consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing essential goods.

“Counterfeiters should not expect a holiday from enforcement,” Gaichuhie warned.

clarify counterfeit versus illicit alcohol

tighten the repetitive enforcement sections

add a stronger consumer reporting call