Alarm raised over counterfeit Chinese cables flooding the Kenyan market

david nganga

June 7, 2018 6:27 PM

EA Cables has called on the Kenyan government to crackdown on look-a-like substandard cables from China

East African Cables (EA Cables) has called on the Kenyan government to crackdown on look-a-like substandard cables from China, which it says exposes consumers to risks of fire and poor performance.

Michael Waweru, the listed firm’s chairman, said the counterfeit products are endangering its regional investment by flooding its key markets in East Africa.

“Discuss with the Government of China measures to be taken to stop Chinese industries from flooding Kenya and the EAC with substandard products that have put our products in disrepute," read part of a letter addressed to Kenya's Foreign Affairs secretary Monica Juma.

Diplomatic intervention

Mr Waweru said increased seizures of substandard cables across the region bearing its logo showed a need for a government-to-government diplomatic intervention.

He added that hundreds of jobs at their two manufacturing plants in Kenya and Tanzania as well as in their branded distribution networks across Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan were now in jeopardy as China-made cables had flooded the market.

Last week, a group of Chinese exhibitors were arrested at a Nairobi exhibition displaying China-made electrical cables bearing EA Cables name and logo.

david nganga