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{
    "id": 181349,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/181349/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 231,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kosgey",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Industrialization",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 177,
        "legal_name": "Henry Kiprono Kosgey",
        "slug": "henry-kosgey"
    },
    "content": " Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I beg to move that the Anti-Counterfeit Bill be now read a Second Time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the objective of this Bill is to make trading and manufacturing of all manner of counterfeit goods illegal or against the law. Counterfeiting is a malpractice that is spread worldwide. It has been increasing in Kenya with a negative impact on our economy. It has been the decision of the Government, all along, that we make counterfeiting an illegal activity and punishable in law. Up to the time when this Bill was introduced, the Customs Act was in operation; it is being used to combat this very bad menace. It has been found necessary to have a proper law that can deal with it effectively, hence the introduction of this Bill in Parliament, and the subsequent request that it be made into law in order to deal effectively with counterfeit goods. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I have said, counterfeit goods have had a very bad effect. I will define what counterfeit means later. Counterfeits have a very negative effect on our economy. Companies have had to relocate, because this country has become one where counterfeit goods come in freely. Companies have also lost money as a result of counterfeit goods sold in the local market. Counterfeit goods have also cost the Government revenue, because they usually retail at a lower price, and it is impossible for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to tax counterfeit goods that come through our porous borders into the market. Counterfeit goods have also been known to be harmful to health; even medicines, including generics, and other pharmaceutical products are counterfeited. We have counterfeit generic goods! It is estimated that even as I speak, a lot of the malarial tablets - 50 per cent of them - are counterfeit, and probably have no effect on the treatment of malaria. Figures have been quoted that show that up to Kshs50 billion has been lost by industries, or manufacturers, as a result of this illicit trade. Individual companies have lost up to Kshs200 million!"
}