{
  "id": 19534414,
  "title": "RETRAK urges crackdown on illicit trade networks, calls for tougher enforcement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/retrak-urges-crackdown-on-illicit-trade-networks-calls-for-tougher",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T17:57:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/retrak-urges-crackdown-on-illicit-trade-networks-calls-for-tougher-enforcement/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) is urging intensified efforts to combat illicit trade networks, advocating for more stringent enforcement measures. RETRAK emphasizes that targeting retailers alone is insufficient to curb the rising illicit trade. The association proposes a collaborative enforcement strategy among key bodies like the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and National Police Service. They recommend designating a lead agency and setting clear timelines for reporting progress. RETRAK's CEO, Wambui Mbarire, stresses that investigators must trace suppliers, storage facilities, transporters, and financiers involved in distributing illicit products, as merely seizing items at retail outlets is merely the starting point. The association highlights the extent of the problem, citing a Kantar study that shows illicit cigarettes now comprise 45.1% of Kenya's cigarette market in 2025, up from 34.1% in 2021. This illicit trade has cost the government KSh10.2 billion in excise duty and VAT since 2021, and KSh47 billion over the same period. Similarly, illicit alcohol accounts for about 59% of alcohol consumed in Kenya, with an annual economic cost of KSh71 billion, according to ACA data. Counterfeit goods, found in 18% of surveyed sectors, include 21% of motor vehicle spare parts and 19% of alcoholic drinks. RETRAK also calls for practical tools to help retailers verify excise stamps and product authentication marks, as well as clear guidance for businesses dealing with suspicious deliveries and channels for reporting illicit goods. The association demands greater transparency from enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for regular updates on investigations, tracing of major suppliers, prosecutions, and recovery of unpaid taxes. RETRAK stresses that legitimate retailers, following licensing requirements and sourcing goods legitimately, are unfairly disadvantaged by smugglers, counterfeiters, and tax evaders. They warn that illicit trade threatens consumer safety, undermines fair competition, and endangers public health and finances.",
  "summary": "RETRAK Chief Executive Officer Wambui Mbarire said enforcement agencies must look beyond seizures at retail outlets and pursue the suppliers, transporters, financiers and storage facilities involved in distributing illicit products.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}