Nakumatt dismisses report on fake drinks

Nakumatt has dismissed reports that counterfeit alcoholic drinks were recovered from its Eldo Centre branch in Eldoret on Monday.

The retail chain said anti-counterfeit officers visited their outlet after a customer claimed a bottle of brandy he had bought contained impurities. The customer had alleged that on opening the bottle, he found some impurities and proceeded to report to the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) in Eldoret.

"As per normal procedure, ACA officers visited our branch on Monday afternoon as part of a procedural investigation process, which we fully support," said the supermarket's spokesman Alfred Ng'ang'a.

Mr Ng'ang'a said the customer's claim was under investigation, which does not amount to the alleged stocking of counterfeit products.

"That cannot be said with certainty, as further investigations are still underway. The seizure notice signed by our officers in Eldoret is clear that stock samples were provided to aid in the investigation of the alleged impurities as per the customer's complaint," he added.

Kenya Breweries Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti said investigations were ongoing.

"We are awaiting the results on the content of the products which are currently with ACA," Mr Kiniti said.

Nakumatt Holdings said it stocks its outlets from reputable suppliers and does not stock any counterfeit product.

Ng'ang'a said before listing a product for sale, a supplier must provide certified copies of the necessary quality and related regulatory approvals.

"This we insist and stringently enforce to guarantee quality provision to our customers," he said.

Eldoret-based ACA Inspector Yusuf Ahmed had said the agency acted following a tip-off from the customer.

"We got a call at midday from a customer who had bought drinks from the supermarket. After verifying the information, we stormed the outlet," he said. He said samples were taken to the Kenya Bureau of Standards for further investigation.