NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) has raised alarms over the growing distribution of counterfeit textbooks, urging the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to take immediate action to curb the illegal trade that is undermining the publishing industry.
In a letter to the IG, KPA council members revealed that counterfeit books, including dictionaries, set books, and educational readers, are flooding the market, particularly in major regions such as Nairobi, Kisii, Thika, Nakuru, and Murang’a.
This illegal activity is depriving legitimate publishers and authors of their rightful earnings and is further exacerbated during the back-to-school season.
“Counterfeiting of our members’ products, such as kamusi, textbooks, and readers, is rampant and being propagated by unscrupulous traders,” the association’s letter stated.
“This not only harms the publishing sector but also leads to significant financial losses, tax evasion, and economic sabotage.”
The KPA has also gathered intelligence on key distribution points of the counterfeit books and has expressed its readiness to collaborate with law enforcement to tackle the issue.
The association relies on security features, such as check tags and unique markings, to differentiate authentic books from fake ones.
“We are committed to working with your office to identify and shut down the sources of these counterfeit products,” the letter added. “This is a crucial step in protecting intellectual property rights, securing livelihoods within the publishing sector, and ensuring tax revenue for the government.”
KPA’s call for urgent intervention highlights the broader implications of the counterfeit book trade, which extends beyond the publishing industry to affect the nation’s economy.
The association has urged IG Kanja to initiate investigations, apprehend those responsible, and take legal action to stop the illegal trade.
“We respectfully seek your office’s intervention to safeguard the publishing industry and protect the public from counterfeit goods,” the KPA concluded. “This is not only about defending intellectual property but also ensuring that those who contribute to the economy are protected from unlawful practices.”
