Cartels are an "invisible tax" on consumers, leading to increased prices and stifled economic growth, according to David Kemei, Director-General at the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK). The CAK is intensifying efforts to combat cartel behavior across various sectors.

• Cartels can inflate prices by 20% – 25%, as indicated by studies from the World Bank and OECD.
• The CAK has penalized steel manufacturers over KES 338 Million in August 2023 and paint manufacturers KES 66 Million in 2021 for cartel conduct.
• The CAK has invested KES 45 Million in a forensics laboratory to enhance evidence gathering and offers leniency for voluntary disclosure of cartel activities.