The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has denied allegations that it conducted a raid at entrepreneur and social media personality Shiquo Hii Style’s shoe business, terming claims circulating online as false.

The clarification comes amid widespread online discussion and social media posts by Shiquo, who alleged that her stock was confiscated in what she described as an enforcement operation targeting counterfeit goods at her store.

In a phone interview with Nation, ACA Director of Enforcement Osman Yusuf dismissed the claims, saying they carried out no operation at the business premises.

“There is no operation that was conducted by ACA at that shop. That is a pure lie,” he said.

Read: Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA)

Mr Yusuf said the authority was aware of an ongoing Interpol-linked operation targeting counterfeit goods, but maintained that Shiquo’s shop, located at RNG Plaza in Nairobi’s Central Business District was not part of it.

He further suggested that the narrative circulating online did not reflect enforcement activity on the ground, alleging that it may have been misrepresented.

“The intelligence we have is that she was relocating from one shop to another and used empty shelves to portray a raid,” he said.

Mr Yusuf added that while ACA conducts enforcement against counterfeit goods, such actions are guided strictly by legal procedures, including complaints from rights holders, intelligence reports, and market surveillance.

He said inspections, searches, seizures, and detention of goods are only carried out where there are reasonable grounds, and affected parties are given the opportunity to provide documentation or challenge actions before a court.

Following the controversy, ACA also issued a formal position statement responding to what it described as “recent videos, media reports and social media discussions” regarding Shiquo Hii Style.

"Only unlawful trade"

In the statement, the authority said it does not interfere with legitimate business operations and only targets unlawful trade in counterfeit goods.

“ACA’s enforcement activities are directed exclusively at unlawful trade in counterfeit goods,” the statement reads.

The authority further explained that under the Anti-Counterfeit Act, inspectors are empowered to enter premises, inspect goods, and seize suspected counterfeit products where necessary, but must document inventories and preserve goods pending investigation.

It added that traders are entitled to provide documentation proving authenticity, and that goods are released where investigations establish they are genuine.

“The Authority urges the public to distinguish between an ongoing investigation and a final determination by the courts,” the statement adds.

ACA also encouraged entrepreneurs to formalise and protect their brands through registration with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), noting that intellectual property registration offers legal protection against unauthorised use.

The statement further highlighted its IP recordation system, which allows trademark holders to register their rights with the authority to support enforcement efforts.

Shiquo’s claims

Two days ago, Shiquo sent a series of social media posts saying her stock had been confiscated, leaving her with significant losses and forcing her to rethink her business strategy

“Every piece of shoe was taken because they were counterfeit. There was a big problem. We have to start again, relearn, rebuild and do it again. I want you to learn that if you are dealing with anything like that, it can waste you,” she said on one of the posts. “It’s a big loss for me. I would not want whatever has happened to me to happen to anybody else. If you are dealing with counterfeit products, be careful because they will take everything, and it will cost you so much,” she said.

Following the posts, Kenyans, a majority of them, who have a liking for cheaper knock-offs, fueling a booming business from Kamukunji, Eastleigh, to RNG Plaza to outlets in the middle of the Central Business District, criticised the government for allowing importation of the copies of original brands such as Nike, New Balance and Adidas shoes, collecting taxes from the entrepreneurs, then seizing them.

Some criticised the authority’s enforcement approach, arguing that traders should be served with court orders before seizures are carried out.

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Shiquo added that the seizure called for a rethink of business.

“Let us start and learn to build our own things. We can also grow something from scratch and not depend on other people. I can make a shoe with my own brand and then come and support our local football clubs. We slowly grow because these things come fast and go,” she said.

In her reference to Nike, which set up shop in Kenya recently, she said, “Nike is a man. He started his brand by marketing himself well, even using players. Adidas too. New Balance, too. And you don’t play with things that belong to other people.”

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jngari@ke.nationmedia.com