The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has issued a stern warning to businesses dealing in counterfeit football jerseys and sportswear, announcing intensified enforcement operations targeting suppliers, distributors and retailers across the country.
The agency says it has stepped up nationwide crackdowns as demand for football merchandise surges, warning traders that those found selling fake products risk severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms, hefty fines and the loss of confiscated stock.
According to the authority, the latest enforcement campaign forms part of a broader effort to protect intellectual property rights, safeguard consumers and dismantle illicit supply chains that continue to flood the market with counterfeit goods.
The warning comes as football fans increasingly seek team jerseys and sportswear, creating a lucrative market that counterfeit traders have exploited for years.
In one of its strongest statements yet, the ACA clarified that football jerseys retailing for Sh500, Sh700 or Sh1,600 should not be considered genuine products.
The agency said authentic branded jerseys cannot be sold at such prices, urging consumers to exercise caution when making purchases and avoid vendors offering products at suspiciously low rates.
The authority has emphasized that enforcement efforts will not only target large suppliers but also retailers found stocking and selling counterfeit products.
Officials say intelligence-led investigations are already underway in several parts of the country, with enforcement teams conducting inspections and raids at suspected outlets.
Several operations have reportedly targeted commercial hubs in Nairobi, including businesses operating within the Central Business District.
Among the areas highlighted during recent enforcement efforts is RNG Plaza, where authorities have reportedly conducted inspections as part of broader anti-counterfeit operations.
The ACA maintains that counterfeit goods undermine legitimate businesses, deprive intellectual property owners of revenue and expose consumers to products that fail to meet quality standards.
The authority argues that the widespread availability of fake merchandise creates unfair competition for traders who invest in genuine products and comply with legal importation requirements.
To address the problem, the agency has intensified collaboration with brand owners, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders involved in intellectual property protection.
Business owners found violating anti-counterfeit laws face significant consequences.
The ACA has warned that offenders could receive prison sentences ranging between five and 15 years, depending on the nature and scale of the offence.
In addition to jail terms, convicted traders could face fines amounting to three to five times the market value of the counterfeit goods involved in a case.
The agency has therefore urged business owners to verify the authenticity of products before placing them on their shelves.
Officials have also advised retailers to maintain proper records of suppliers and ensure they source merchandise from authorized distributors.
The agency argues that returning confiscated goods to traders would undermine efforts to combat counterfeiting and allow illegal products to re-enter the supply chain.
The authority has urged retailers to clear their shelves of products that infringe on intellectual property rights before enforcement teams arrive.
The authority insists that its operations will continue until counterfeit merchandise is removed from the market and consumers can purchase products with greater confidence.
