Alcohol manufacturers association step up fight against counterfeits

It is common knowledge among imbibers that there is a prevalence of counterfeit alcoholic drinks in the market. The counterfeiters have become so good that it is not easy to tell between the original and the counterfeit. It is due to this that alcoholic beverage makers in Kenya through their association Alcohol Beverage Association of Kenya (ABAK) has built up a campaign against the sale of counterfeit alcohol in the Kenyan market.In line with their fight against counterfeits, ABAK has endorsed the move by KRA to start using new generation stamps to curtail the sale of alcohol by unlicensed merchants. These are the merchants who are most likely to sell the counterfeit alcohol.

The KRA Soma Label app also helps a consumer or retailer to tell within minutes whether a product is genuine or not. A consumer just needs to download the app, which then is used to scan the excise stamp which normally covers the top of the bottle. After which one gets a notification indicating whether the beverage is genuine or not.

In the past ABAK has lobbied the government successfully to regulate fair tax policies as high taxes have made unregistered and illegal trade in alcohol very profitable for smugglers and unlicensed operators. This is because the counterfeit alcohol is usually cheaper than the original product. ABAK draws its membership from Kenya Wine Agencies (KWAL), Africa Spirits Ltd, Kenya Breweries, United Distillers and Vintners (UDV) and Wines of the World.