Public Warned as Suspected Fake Personal Care Products Worth Ksh1.1 Million Seized

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has seized suspected counterfeit personal care products valued at approximately Ksh1.1 million during an enforcement operation in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 18, the authority said the raid targeted the storage and distribution of suspected fake branded personal care products, with the recovered consignment now being held as investigations continue.

"The operation, conducted by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), resulted in the recovery of assorted products bearing the Nivea, Vaseline and Tresemmé brands, suspected to be fake. 

"The consignment has since been seized and detained pending further investigations and appropriate legal action under the Anti-Counterfeit Act," the statement read.

The ACA said the enforcement action is part of sustained operations aimed at disrupting networks involved in the storage, distribution and sale of counterfeit products within key commercial hubs in Nairobi.

"This raid forms part of the Authority's sustained efforts to disrupt the storage, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods within Nairobi's key commercial hubs. The Anti-Counterfeit Act empowers ACA to combat counterfeiting and related trade in counterfeit goods across Kenya," the statement added.

The ACA further raised concerns over the potential health and safety risks posed by counterfeit personal care and cosmetic products, noting that such items are applied directly to the body.

"Given that personal care and cosmetic products are applied directly to the body, the presence of counterfeits within this category poses a particular concern for public health and safety. 

"Consumers who unknowingly purchase such items are often left with no means of verifying their origin, authenticity or quality, exposing them to products that may not meet required safety standards," the statement further read.

ACA has urged traders dealing in personal care products to ensure their merchandise is obtained from legitimate and traceable sources. 

The authority also called on consumers to exercise caution and verify branded products before making purchases.

"ACA has renewed its call to traders to source their goods exclusively through legitimate and verifiable supply chains, while urging consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing branded personal care products," the statement concluded.

This comes months after the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) raised concerns over the growing circulation of illegal pest control products in Kenya.

In a statement on Saturday, June 20, the agency warned that the unauthorized chemicals had posed significant dangers to public health, food security, the environment, and the country's agricultural sector.

PCPB said efforts had been ongoing to prevent unauthorized products from entering the Kenyan market and to ensure that only approved pesticides were available to consumers.

"Unregistered pest control products pose a serious risk to human health, food safety, the environment, and agricultural productivity. Illegal pesticides are often ineffective and may contain undeclared chemicals that can cause harm.

"To address this challenge, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) continues to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts to prevent the entry, distribution, and use of unauthorized pest control products, ensuring farmers and consumers have access to safe, quality, and efficacious products," the statement read.

According to PCPB, the warning had followed a recent operation conducted by PCPB officers at the Namanga border crossing, where smuggled pesticides had been discovered during routine inspections.

"On 18th and 19th June 2026, during routine surveillance operations, PCPB officers stationed at the Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP), in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, intercepted consignments of unauthorized pest control products being smuggled into the country," the statement added.

The board revealed that the products had been hidden among ordinary cargo and transported through public service vehicles operating between Nairobi and Namanga.

"The products, concealed beneath sacks and transported as parcels in the luggage compartments of Impala Connections and Naekana public service vehicles operating along the Nairobi-Namanga route, were seized during operations at the OSBP and Maili Tisa Roadblock," the statement noted.