Gov’t employs technology to fight counterfeit products

The Anti-Counterfeit Agency is in the process of devising gadgets and mobile based applications to detect counterfeit goods in the market.

The agency, through an ad in the dailies, has called for proposals to develop a gadget and mobile application as it steps up the fight against counterfeit goods.

This follows an increase in the market of imitated goods which unsuspecting consumers have been buying, unable to differentiate the goods from genuine ones.

“The agency seeks proposals from experienced and qualified firms or individuals to assist with the development of a mobile phone application and/or device which will be compatible with android phones,” Anti Counterfeit Agency Ag. Executive Director John Akoten said.

Mobile phones, fast moving consumer goods, clothes and foods have been the main target for crooked businessmen keen to make a killing from gullible consumers.

Local manufactures have decried the proliferation of counterfeit goods which they argue pose a risk to users. The Anti-counterfeit Agency has launched a countrywide inspection as it seeks to establish the extent of the illegal business in the country.

The move by the agency follows in the steps of the Kenya Bureau of Standards, which last year developed an app which consumers could use to check whether goods have been certified.

Report by Beatrice Eghwa