Street vendors, kiosks lead in the sale of counterfeit products

Book vendors on January 23, 2023, displayed books in the streets of Migori town during school opening to attract parents and students. [Caleb Kingwara/Standard] Street vendors have been singled out as the main sellers of counterfeit goods in a new survey by the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA). The survey also lists pesticides and insecticides as the most counterfeited goods according to the level of awareness of consumers. The survey shows a majority of Kenyans could be using fake deodorant, toothpaste, soap and body washes as they are the most counterfeited products among cosmetics. This further extends to artificial hair, nail polish and even tissue papers, which ACA says proliferation in the market is driven by high consumer demand. The survey states that consumers are likely to encounter counterfeit products when they purchase items from street sellers and their local shops. The low prices associated with counterfeit products are the main motivators behind these purchases. The Consumer Level Survey Report 2025 lists agricultural inputs and agrochemicals as the most affected sector when it comes to counterfeits. The survey has ranked 16 sectors. The severity of counterfeits in any of the sectors is based on the level of awareness of customers. The agricultural inputs and agrochemicals sector has an awareness level of 39.52 per cent, followed by alcoholic drinks (36.57 per cent) and cosmetics and personal care hygiene (33.99 per cent). The least affected sectors based on the level of awareness are tobacco products (7.63 per cent), followed by metal and allied (6.74 per cent) and timber, wood and furniture (5.13 per cent). The survey says the agricultural sector faces significant counterfeit challenges. "Some 89.16 per cent of respondents identified pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides as the most counterfeited products, followed by fertilisers (54.29 per cent) and animal feeds (45.60 per cent)," the survey says. Seeds are the least counterfeited products in this category. When it comes to alcoholic drinks, wine is the most counterfeited product, accounting for 50.12 per cent, followed by beer (47.44 per cent) and whiskey (42.68 per cent). "While gin (23.05 per cent), brandy (19.27 per cent) and liqueurs (11.71 per cent) are less frequently counterfeited, the presence of craft spirits (11.22 per cent) reveals vulnerabilities within niche markets," the survey says. ACA says the cosmetics and personal care hygiene sector faces high rates of counterfeiting, especially in personal care products, including skincare items, toothpaste, shampoos and sanitisers. These products account for 88.32 per cent of counterfeit reports. "Artificial hair and hair care products (such as hair dyes and styling products) also have substantial counterfeiting rates at 67.72 per cent, driven by high consumer demand," the agency says in the survey. "Tissue products, including diapers and sanitary towels, are also counterfeited, with a rate of 34.12 per cent, raising concerns about the quality and safety of essential hygiene items." According to the report, China has been associated with the origin of counterfeit goods by most respondents. The perception is based on quality. Other countries mentioned are Turkey, Japan, and Tanzania. "The results show that counterfeit goods were primarily purchased from street sellers (59.37 per cent) and shops or kiosks (54.42 per cent), indicating that even more formal retail environments are susceptible to counterfeit items," the survey says. It adds that online platforms accounted for 31.27 per cent of counterfeit purchases, reflecting the growing role of e-commerce in the counterfeit trade. "Supermarkets, typically considered more regulated, accounted for 21.31 per cent, raising concerns about the vulnerability of formal retail spaces," the survey says. Other purchase locations comprised only 2.36 per cent, which the report says suggests that counterfeit goods are mainly found in more common retail channels. "These findings emphasise the widespread availability of counterfeit goods across both informal and formal purchase points, posing significant challenges for regulation and consumer protection," the report says. The report says that 60.48 per cent of respondents admitted to purchasing counterfeit goods, either knowingly or unknowingly, in the past 12 months, while 38.52 per cent reported no such purchases. It says this indicates a high prevalence of counterfeit purchases and highlights the need for increased consumer awareness about product authenticity. "The findings suggest that a knowledge gap exists regarding the risks of counterfeit goods," the survey points out. It adds that educational initiatives should focus on why consumers buy counterfeit goods, whether due to lower prices or limited availability and address these motivations through targeted interventions, such as stricter regulations and enhanced product verification processes. "Understanding consumer sentiment toward counterfeit purchases can help inform policy and marketing strategies, guiding efforts to protect consumers and legitimate businesses," the agency says in the survey. The results from the survey revealed that 42.5 per cent of respondents cited low prices as the primary motivator, indicating that cost remains a critical factor even when the authenticity of the products is questioned. "This suggests that many consumers are willing to overlook potential risks associated with counterfeiting in favour of financial savings," the survey says. "Additionally, 33.75 per cent of respondents mentioned the easy availability of counterfeit products, reflecting a convenience factor that may overshadow concerns about quality or safety." It adds that brand name recognition influenced 11.25 per cent of respondents, demonstrating that the allure of familiar brand names, even when associated with counterfeit products, plays a role in purchase decisions. Other reasons cited include product popularity (10 per cent) and minimal mentions of product origin and warranty, each contributing to 1.25 per cent. "This suggests that quality concerns are less influential compared to the immediate benefits of low cost and accessibility," the survey adds. The survey collected views from 2,185 respondents from eight counties. Six of these counties -Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyeri, Machakos, and Kisumu - were identified as counterfeit hotspots. Two counties -Garissa and Busia -were included to represent the remaining regions of the country. The survey reveals that more than half of the respondents reported having personally experienced adverse effects from counterfeit goods, indicating a significant issue with counterfeit products in the Kenyan market. "The consequences of counterfeit goods can range from financial losses due to poor quality items to serious health risks from counterfeit pharmaceuticals or unsafe electronics," the survey says. "These results underscore the urgent need for consumer education, increased awareness about the dangers of counterfeit products, and stronger regulatory measures to curb their sale."

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