Samsung seeks to protect its Kenyan assets by partnering with ACA

Samsung has partnered with Anti-Counterfeit Agency in a bid to curb the buying and selling of counterfeit Samsung products in Kenya.

This partnership comes a week after a crackdown by the Anti-Counterfeit Agency, within Nairobi’s Luthuli Avenue, which led to the seizure of unused Samsung Trademark stickers and packaging materials.

Anti-Counterfeit Agency Executive Director Dr. John Akoten said that his organization is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that suspects accused of trading in non-genuine products are brought to book.

“Last month alone, the agency has managed to prosecute seven suspects in connection with various counterfeit products. Last week, two suspects were arrested in connection with counterfeit Samsung phones,” said Dr. Akoten.

The crackdown also led to the discovery and seizure of over 1000 phones worth Kshs 50 million. The discoveries made by the crackdown highlighted the magnitude of fake and counterfeit products currently being channeled through the market, by unscrupulous traders, where Kenya loses about Kshs. 30 billion annually.

Samsung and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) are thus, stepping up their efforts to counter sales of these products by encouraging consumers to purchase items through accredited retail outlets and partners.

“The proliferation of counterfeits has major effects on the economy of this country. Not only does it minimize our the consumer genuine sales but it also denies and erodes the revenue potential that the Kenya  government would collect and inherently leading to job losses,” said Samsung East Africa Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Ngeru.

“Users are also denied the assurance of using a genuine product that reduces their confidence in the product thereby leading to compromised user experience. We have been and will continue to be at the forefront in the fight against counterfeit. Our partnership with the Anti-Corruption Authorities is making an impact on the illicit trade and sales clearly demonstrated by the massive seizure and raid carried out last week,” said Mr. Ngeru.

In addition to working with government agencies to combat the vice, Samsung is encouraging its customers to ensure they only purchase genuine products to enable them enjoy the two year –warranty which is only offered as a service benefit to locally sold genuine products.

“Samsung hopes that this will spur the entire industry to pool their resources and address this issue in a concerted effort to stamp out this illegal sales and dubious activities that are impacting on all businesses in the region,”  he concluded.