Chinese man arrested in Gikomba with counterfeit socks worth Sh50 million

Chinese national has been arrested in a major Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) operation at Gikomba Market, where officers seized more than 65,000 pairs of counterfeit socks and other apparel valued at approximately Sh50 million.

The raid followed intelligence reports and a formal complaint filed by the law firm Spoor & Fisher on behalf of several global brands. 

Investigators established that the goods had been routed through Uganda, an increasingly common tactic used by counterfeit networks to bypass Kenyan border checks before entering the local market ahead of the festive shopping season.

“The distributor intended to release these substandard goods during the peak holiday season,” said ACA Nairobi Regional Manager Mr. Abdi Abikar.

#GenuineHolidays

A Chinese national has been arrested in Gikomba after ACA seized 65,000 counterfeit socks & apparel worth KSh 50M in a major pre-holiday crackdown. Raid followed an IP complaint filed by Spoor & Fisher on behalf of the brand owners.@Kenyans @KBCChannel1 pic.twitter.com/s6dVSWYDv9

— Anti-Counterfeit Authority (@ACA_Kenya) November 28, 2025

According to ACA, brand agents and enforcement officers verified that the seized socks and apparel were of dangerously poor quality, posing potential health risks to consumers and contributing to unfair competition for legitimate traders.

ACA Executive Director Rob Mutisio said the seized products were of substandard quality and posed potential health risks.

“Counterfeiting destroys jobs, wipes out industries, and exposes consumers to unsafe products. Our enforcement is protection—not harassment,” he said. 

The suspect, considered a flight risk, was detained at Kamukunji Police Station and is expected to be charged under the Anti-Counterfeit Act which criminalises the manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of goods bearing falsified trademarks or intellectual property. 

Offences under the Act attract heavy fines, prison terms or both, with ACA empowered to seize goods and prosecute offenders.

The agency noted that Uganda continues to be a key transit route for counterfeit merchandise entering the region. 

Syndicates often exploit weaker inspection regimes and transit procedures before funnelling goods into Kenya through the Busia and Malaba border points.