Illicit goods worth Ksh.13.5M destroyed at Eldoret hospital

Goods worth over Ksh.13.3million were on Friday destroyed at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital incinerator in Eldoret.

A statement from the Multi Agency Task Force on Illicit Trade identified some of the contraband goods as seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, among others.

“Today’s destruction of counterfeits here in Eldoret coincides with the onset of short rains and the cropping season. Farmers across the country have great expectations as they till and prepare their land for the next season. It is also a season where we see a growth in sales of counterfeits,” noted Mrs. Flora Mutahi, the Chairperson of the Anti Counterfeit Agency (ACA) Board of Directors.

She added that the destruction of illegal goods was part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness on the impact of such materials to the economy.

Reports indicate that in the last three months, ACA seized goods suspected to be counterfeit worth Ksh.512,398,285.00; while the total worth of goods awaiting destruction amounts to Ksh.149,856,984.

‘’By burning these products, it is my hope that we are sending the right message to our investors that Kenya is your destination of choice for investment. We also want to send a strong warning to the economic saboteurs that we will not condone trade in illegal goods in this country,’’ noted Dr. Chris Kiptoo, the Permanent Secretary for Trade.