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{
    "id": 187914,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/187914/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 75,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Muriithi",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Industrialization",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 91,
        "legal_name": "Ndiritu Muriithi",
        "slug": "ndiritu-muriithi"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am aware that counterfeit goods from other countries have been flooding the Kenyan market. The Ministry has made efforts with other key institutions in fighting the influx of counterfeit goods into the Kenyan market. Counterfeiting, as a global phenomenon, is rampant in many countries, including Asia and elsewhere, and is estimated to be worth well over US$20 billion worldwide. In our country, this malpractice is estimated to cost the public in excess of Kshs4 billion every year. This has consequently left many Kenyans jobless, and many more have lost the sources of their livelihood, not to mention revenue loss to the Kenya Government, as well as posing health threats to consumers. My Ministry has played a major role in co-ordinating other Government institutions such as the Weights and Measures Department in devising mechanisms to curb the entry of counterfeits and substandard goods. Some of the measures taken include the following:- (i) Awareness creation to the public through the Ministry and its affiliate institutions, stakeholders and the Press. (ii) Enhancement of penalties through the Finance Bill, 2002, which includes destroying counterfeit goods at the cost of the importer and withdrawal of relevant licences. We have established the Anti-Counterfeit Bill, 2008. This Bill seeks to incriminate dealing with counterfeit merchandise and to consolidate the various pieces of legislation that govern this area. (b) The KEBS has in the recent past made continuous improvement on inspections to ensure that goods and services meet the set standards. However, 100 per cent verification is a big challenge to the KEBS, particularly because of porous borders with our neighbouring countries as well as the diversion of goods destined for those countries, which come through Kenyan ports. The KEBS is working out modalities to carry out detailed tests and verification of goods imported to Kenya once the major areas of concern raised above have been addressed. (c) The Ministry has enhanced funding for the KEBS to purchase modern equipment for use in testing suspected counterfeit goods. The Standards Act, Cap.446, Laws of Kenya, has also been amended to reinforce the operations of the KEBS. Further support will be accorded to KEBS to acquire more equipment, train and recruit personnel in order to improve sophistication in looking at all merchandise destined for the world market."
}