Agency seizes Sh60m counterfeit phones

Electronics brand Samsung has cited counterfeits in the country as the leading factor to its loss of billions in revenue.

This comes as products worth Sh60 million, mostly mobile phones, were intercepted at several stores in Nairobi following a raid by the Anti-Counterfeit police unit and Samsung Intellectual Property Right owner.

Samsung claims traders have taken advantage of their customers’ loyalty to their brand to push fake products. “These electronics are acquired from overseas at very cheap prices then transported to the country. Traders then repackage them with legit Samsung trademarks making it difficult for the customer to notice the difference,” said Samsung’s Brand Protection Agent spokesperson Peter Mutula.

Mr Mutula said counterfeits traders have targeted big brands in the country to expand their profit margins. “With many manufacturers in the world using Kenya to market their products in the region, Kenya’s easiness of doing business has been abused by these traders,” he said.

He mentioned that Samsung had come to them complaining of dwindling sales despite their brand being superior in the region. “That was when we launched a survey together with Anti-counterfeit investigators and realised several traders repackaging and rebranding phones from other companies to imitate those of Samsung.”

Anti-Counterfeit Inspector Joseph Lourien said all the shops found with the counterfeits products will be closed.

“The law is clear. The original manufacturer is the one who will decide if the case will be pursued or if a fine will be paid which is equivalent to three times the loss made.”