About COFEK

The Consumers Federation Of Kenya.

The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) is Kenya’s independent, self-funded, multi-sectorial, non-political and apex non-profit Federation committed to consumer protection, education, research, consultancy, litigation, anti-counterfeits campaign and business rating on consumerism and customer-care issues.

The Federation was registered on March 26, 2010. Cofek works towards a fair, just and safe marketplace for all Kenyan and regional consumers in all sectors of the economy.

Cofek is a founder Chair of the Government-run Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (Kecopac). Our mandate is drawn from Article 46 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Consumer Protection Act, 2012 and the Competition Act, Cap 504 among other statutes. The legal framework provides high thresholds for consumer protection in all spheres and for both private and public sectors.

COFEK works towards a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all Kenyan and regional consumers. We also are keen to see to it that consumers empower and protect themselves. Before COFEK, Kenyan consumers lacked a reliable source of information they could depend on to help them distinguish hype from fact and good products from bad ones. Since then, COFEK has ably filled that vacuum with a broad range of consumer information. To maintain its independence and impartiality, COFEK accepts no outside advertising and no free samples and employs several mystery shoppers and technical experts to buy and test the products it evaluates be it foodstuffs, medicine, phones, laptops, vehicles, machineries and other products.

We have a Governing Council of 20 officials who represent the Federation at the national level. Those Council members are led by the Chairperson, Secretary General and other officials (professionals) heading specific sectors such as Security; Banking; ICT; Roads; Transport; Water; Energy; Agriculture; Education; Tourism; Food; Health and drugs; Supermarkets; Electronics; Environment; Aviation; Automobiles; Insurance; Local Authorities, among others. These officers act as lobbyists and spokespersons in their various areas of expertise. It is especially noteworthy that they give voluntarily of their time and expertise.

They are supported by our lean secretariat staff directly involved in the research and in-house production of the Federations electronic and hard copy newsletter Consumer Pride. We are also working on various consumer education, protection and business referencing and rating as regards consumers and customer care aspects. We are currently processing various requests from private sector and government agencies on our assessment, through public perception surveys, on their SWOT analysis as regards consumers, customer care, their products and services quality and reliability, pricing, labeling, advertising, distribution, mechanisms of receiving and turnaround of consumer/customer complaints, among other attendant aspects.

COFEK will strenuously continue to represent, fight to protect and strengthen the rights of its members and all Kenyan consumers. The achievements are already considerable. We are currently working with the Kenya Law Reform Commission and other stakeholders in finalizing the Consumer Protection Bill 2010. Consumers’ rights – the right to information, fair dealing, protection, education – all culminating in the ability to make informed decisions and choices – are and should remain a reality. That is our clarion call. We commit ourselves to remaining true and faithful to this cause whatever temptations and hurdles that may stand in our way.

We are and shall continually be calling on and for Government’s recognition of our crucial role through the many lawful ways and means. We expect representation in all regulatory agencies and key public entities such as the Kenya Roads Board; Energy Regulatory Commission; Public Procurement Oversight Authority; Water Services Regulatory Board, Central Bank of Kenya Board; National Environment Management Authority; Police Oversight Authority among others. We are liaising with all professional societies with whom we intend to work very closely and for mutual benefit.

The current income derived from our members’ subscriptions is insufficient to permit us to lobby further as we should and the need for determined lobbying and input at home, in Kenya and increasingly, regionally, is vital for the future of consumer protection movement. This is even more urgent now than ever before considering the East Africa Community’s Common Market is underway.

We will prevail – of that there is no question – but, to grow is our goal and I hope that you will consider supporting and joining with us in order that we might go forward forcefully and grow quickly. Then we can benchmark and demand for better protection, the clearer transparency and the proper ethical standards – from a position of strength – supported by the majority of consumers – for the benefit of all consumers.

We need your support. Join us today!

Our Vision

To be the consumer federation of choice that inspires confidence and pride for consumer across Kenya and East Africa

Our Mission

Empower people to make informed choices on safe and sustainable goods and services and protect the consumer against unfair practices in the market place where individual and collective consumer rights are secure and respected.

Our Mandate

Our mandate is to defend, promote, develop and pursue consumer rights as guided by Article 46 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Consumer Protection Act, 2012 and the Competition Act, Cap 504 and make it possible for the consumers to get value for money.

Our Values

Integrity
Transparency & accountability
Good Governance
Justice and fairness
Honesty
Team Work
Inclusivity