THE Kenya Revenue Authority has stepped up patrol of theporous Busia border point to curb the entry of counterfeit goods from neighbouring countries. The said counterfeit products, which comprise alcohol packedin plastic sachets, will be seized upon reaching the customs area and handedover to the Kenya Bureau of Standards for destruction.
According to the officer in charge of the Busia Customsoffice David Kimuli, those trading in the goods risk a five-year imprisonment if found guilty by a court of law. Working in liaison with KBS, theKenya Forestry and Research Institute and the Kenya Copyright Board, KRA will also seize narcotic drugs such as bhang and hand it over toKefri for destruction. ''On its part, theKenya Bureau of Standards will work hand in hand with stakeholders such as the KenyaAgricultural Research Institute and Kefri to ensure standards are adhered to,'' he said.
According to Peter Bosire, who is in charge of KBS in Busia county, the qualityassurance department in his office goes round the county ensuring qualityservice delivery and that importers have proper documentation before they are allowed to bring their products into the country. Inspector Thomas Mongare who attached to the copyright board, said that they have trained over 500 police officers enforce the copyright laws. The officers were speaking during an anti-counterfeitingforum held at a Busia hotel yesterday by the Kenya Anti-Counterfeiting Agencyin collaboration with the United States Embassy in Nairobi.
