The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has uncovered a suspected counterfeit maize flour repackaging operation in Kasarani, Nairobi, with seven people arrested and thousands of packets seized. The operation was uncovered on Tuesday, September 15, after detectives acting on intelligence raided a godown in the Canaan area near Infinity Industrial Park. According to the DCI, the premises had been converted into a facility where maize flour was allegedly repackaged and labelled to resemble products from established brands before being prepared for distribution. Detectives recovered 3,682 packets bearing the branding of one popular maize flour brand, with an estimated value of Ksh312,120. Hundreds of additional packets carrying the names of three other recognised brands were also seized.

The DCI said seven people were arrested during the raid and remained in custody as investigations continued. A lorry that was being loaded with the suspected counterfeit products was also seized. Detectives recovered industrial processing and packaging equipment, weighing machines, bag-sealing tools and date and batch-marking equipment from the premises. The equipment suggests investigators are examining an operation involving more than simple storage of the products, although the full scale and duration of the alleged activity have yet to be established. Investigators are also expected to establish where the suspected counterfeit products were being distributed and whether additional individuals or businesses were involved.

Among the items recovered were discarded one-kilogram packets resembling the packaging of one of the affected maize flour brands. The DCI said the brand concerned does not manufacture maize flour in one-kilogram packets, raising suspicion that the packaging may have been used to imitate genuine products. Representatives of the affected brands are expected to assist with verification of the seized products. The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has also joined the investigation and is expected to sample and analyse the recovered flour. The analysis will help establish whether the products are counterfeit and whether they meet the required standards. Until that process is completed, the seized flour remains suspected counterfeit rather than confirmed unsafe.

The Kasarani operation comes as Kenya faces concerns over domestic maize supplies following poor harvests linked to drought. The government has announced plans to import maize from Zambia, with up to KSh26 billion set aside for the import programme, according to reports. The timing has increased attention on the integrity of the maize flour supply chain, particularly because maize flour is a major household food product. However, the DCI has not said that the suspected Kasarani operation is directly connected to the anticipated maize shortage. Investigators are still working to establish the source of the flour, the distribution network and the extent of the alleged counterfeit trade.

The recovered flour, packaging materials, machinery and other items have been detained as exhibits while detectives continue their investigation. The seven suspects are expected to undergo further processing before being presented in court. The ACA’s analysis and verification by the affected brands will be important in determining the nature of the seized products and whether any food-safety violations occurred. For consumers, the case highlights the need to purchase packaged maize flour from traceable and legitimate outlets while authorities investigate the suspected operation. For now, the DCI has established a suspected counterfeit flour operation in Kasarani, but the authenticity and safety of the seized products remain subject to verification and laboratory analysis.