NAIROBI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said Tuesday it has seized counterfeit goods worth 75 million U.S. dollars in countrywide crackdown in the last two months.
Deputy Head of Public Service Wanyama Musiambo vowed to intensify the crackdown on counterfeits and illicit trade.
"The intensive campaign being conducted by a multi-agency team has also led to the arrest and arraignment in court of 75 individuals among them 10 public servants," Musiambo said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
He said of the goods netted so far, illegal sugar accounts for 53 million dollars, cigarettes 8.28 million dollars, agricultural products 3.41 million dollars, household electricals 3 million dollars and alcoholic beverages 2.71 million dollars.
The official said the crackdown on contraband goods will continue as the government is working to smash supply and distribution networks.
"Through sustained sting operations, the state wants to identify and weed out wayward officers who abet crime," he said.
"Mobile roadblocks will be mounted at the Port of Mombasa, Shimoni, Moyale, Lunga Lunga, Isebania, Busia and Malaba to enhance surveillance," said Musiambo.
"Further, through the sustained sting operations, the government is keen on identifying and weeding out wayward officers within its service who abet the crime as is the case with the 10 officers currently facing the justice system," said Musiambo.
The official said counterfeit products not only pose a serious and fast-spreading threat to the health and safety of consumers, but also stand out as a major impediment to the growth of the manufacturing sector, which is one of the key pillars in President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four development agenda. Enditem
