Popular TikTok entrepreneur Shiquo wa Hii Style has broken her silence after the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) raided her Nairobi shop and seized goods worth more than Sh 15 million in a major crackdown on alleged counterfeit products.
The operation targeted her outlet at RNG Plaza in Nairobi central business district
The raid has sparked widespread discussion online, with many Kenyans reacting to images and videos showing empty shelves inside the once-busy store.
According to reports, ACA detectives inspect the premises before confiscating the stock. Authorities allegedly found shoes and merchandise that infringed on protected trademarks, prompting the large-scale seizure.
The crackdown left the store completely empty, marking one of the most high-profile anti-counterfeit operations involving a popular social media entrepreneur in recent months.
Reports indicate that some of the sneakers sold at the outlet retailed for as little as Sh 1,500, while authentic versions of similar products can cost up to Sh 19,000. The significant price difference raised concerns about the authenticity of the merchandise being offered to consumers.
Following the raid, Shiquo shared emotional videos on social media documenting the aftermath of the operation. In the clips, she walked through the empty premises and revealed the extent of the losses she had suffered.
“Everything has completely gone in my stock. If you come to RNG Plaza, you won’t find anything,” she said.
The entrepreneur admitted that the incident had dealt a heavy blow to her business. She reflected on how quickly fortunes can change in business, noting that she had been doing well only days before the operation.
“Today I am in the negative. Yesterday I was up, the day before I was up, today I am down,” she said.
Despite the setback, Shiquo said the experience had taught her important lessons about running a business and complying with regulations.
She urged fellow entrepreneurs to avoid dealing in replica or counterfeit products, warning that the risks could destroy years of hard work within a matter of hours.
“I would not want whatever has happened to me to happen to anybody else,” she said in one of her video messages.
Over the past few years, Shiquo built a strong brand through TikTok, where she attracted thousands of customers with energetic marketing videos and bargain prices. Her signature “Hii Style” catchphrase became widely recognized among online shoppers seeking affordable fashion, household items, electronics and footwear.
The entrepreneur expanded her operations across several Nairobi locations, including outlets at RNG Plaza, Beaver House and Superior Centre. Her growing popularity often resulted in long queues of customers eager to purchase products promoted on her social media platforms.
However, her pricing strategy also attracted criticism from some traders who argued that her prices were too low to sustain fair market competition.
In her social media updates, she revealed that she intends to create and market her own footwear brand instead of relying on imported replica products. She said she is exploring manufacturing opportunities in China and is already searching for a suitable name for the new venture.
The entrepreneur maintained that everything happens for a reason and expressed optimism about starting over despite the financial setback.
