The government has warned the public on the surge of counterfeit stationery in the market as schools reopen across the country.
According to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), unscrupulous traders are targeting unsuspecting parents and students with flashy offers, especially on scientific calculators and textbooks, a move likely to dent academic performance.
The advisory follows an enforcement operation conducted by ACA officers in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where 2,996 counterfeit scientific calculators valued at approximately Sh8 million were seized.
According to Abdi Abikar, ACA’s Nairobi manager, counterfeit learning tools pose a risk to students.
“Counterfeit calculators often give inaccurate results or fail unexpectedly. As learners return to school, parents and retailers must ensure students are equipped with genuine and reliable learning tools,” said Abikar.
The authority notes that counterfeit calculators are sold at unusually low prices and packaged to resemble genuine products, targeting unsuspecting parents, students, schools, and retailers.
The authority has urged parents, students, schools, and retailers to remain vigilant by purchasing learning tools only from authorised outlets and verifying authenticity before purchase.
To support this effort, brands like CASIO have introduced QR-based authenticity verification systems, enabling consumers to easily confirm genuine products prior to use.
Jared Kariuki, who runs a bookshop along River Road in Nairobi, said that they are facing undue competition from rogue players who are trading right outside their stores.
The notice by the ACA is coming just months after a Consumer-Level Survey Report 2025 revealed that the country incurs loses approximately Sh800 billion each year to counterfeit goods.
According to the report, counterfeit goods not only harm the government and legitimate businesses but also pose a risk to consumer health and safety, as such products are often of inferior quality or potentially hazardous.
The authority has urged parents to stick to reputable and authorised retailers and not fall for cheap roadside bargains.
“Counterfeit goods are dangerous to health and sabotage the economy. Report suspicious products to the relevant nearby state institution.”
It further revealed that 60 percent of counterfeit purchases occur through street vendors, while 31.27 percent take place online.
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