Independent
COFEK describes itself as an independent Federation, and is a founder Chair of the Government-run Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (Kecopac).
About us
Kenya’s apex consumer federation
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.
02 / Who we are
Registered in 2010, and answerable ever since
The Federation was registered on 26 March 2010. It 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 Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (Kecopac), the Government-run body established to coordinate consumer protection policy. That seat is where the Federation puts consumer interests directly into the policy process — and it is one reason its independence from both industry and party politics has to be structural rather than stated.
COFEK is not a regulator and holds no statutory enforcement powers. Its influence rests on the quality of its evidence, the consistency of its record, and its willingness to go to court when a regulator will not act.
- Our vision
- To be the consumer federation of choice that inspires confidence and pride for consumers across Kenya and East Africa.
- Our mission
- To work towards a fair, just and safe marketplace for all Kenyan and regional consumers, in all sectors of the economy.
- 2010
- Registered 26 March 2010
- Founder Chair
- Of the Government-run Kecopac committee
- 47
- Counties within the Federation's remit
- 3+
- Statutes the Federation's mandate is drawn from
04 / Our mandate
Seven areas of work
COFEK describes itself as committed to the following.
Consumer protection
Consumer education
Research
Consultancy
Litigation
Anti-counterfeits campaign
Business rating on consumerism and customer-care issues
05 / Legal basis
Where the mandate comes from
Kenya’s legal framework sets high thresholds for consumer protection in all spheres, and binds both the private and the public sector. The Federation’s mandate is drawn from these statutes, among others.
InstrumentArticle 46
Constitution of Kenya, 2010
Gives every consumer an enforceable right to goods and services of reasonable quality, to the information necessary to gain full benefit from them, to protection of their health, safety and economic interests, and to compensation for loss or injury.
InstrumentAct of 2012
Consumer Protection Act
The principal statute governing unfair practices, disclosure obligations, unconscionable representations and consumer agreements across the economy.
InstrumentCap 504
Competition Act
Prohibits false or misleading representations, unconscionable conduct and the supply of unsafe goods, and establishes the consumer protection mandate of the Competition Authority.
06 / How we work
Independent, self-funded, multi-sectorial, non-political
How the Federation describes itself.
Self-funded
The Federation states that it is self-funded.
Multi-sectorial
It works for Kenyan and regional consumers in all sectors of the economy.
Non-political
COFEK describes itself as a non-political, apex non-profit Federation.
07 / Watch
The Federation at work
35th Annual Consumer Dialog Forum. The Federation's flagship convening — members, regulators and industry in one room, on the record.
08 / Go deeper
More about the Federation
- Join COFEKIndividual, association, SME and corporate membership.
- TrainingThe certificate course in Consumer Protection and Management.
- ResourcesRights guides, documents and consumer legislation.
- FAQWhat the Federation can and cannot do for you.
Looking for something else? Contact the Secretariat.
09 / Subscribe
Consumer bulletin
What the Federation files, as it files it
Reporting from the COFEK Watch desk and the cases the Secretariat is taking up.