EX-POST EVALUATION OF THE COMPETITION ENFORCEMENT DECISIONS IN PAINTS MANUFACTURING AND NON-ALCOHOLIC READY-TO-DRINKS BEVERAGE SECTORS IN KENYA

The Authority conducted an Impact Assessment (ex-post evaluation) of its past decisions in the paints sector (cartel decision) and Non-Alcoholic Ready-to-Drink (NARDs) Beverages industry (merger decision). The assessment adopted a cross-sectional survey and concurrent mixed research methods. Data was collected in sixteen (16) counties, where data was obtained from consumers, distributors, retailers, and manufacturers in the two sectors. The assessment finds that the Authority’s decision in the paints sector benefitted the consumers through price reduction of paint products, resulting in consumer savings of KES 0.9 billion between 2018 and 2022. Additionally, the intervention benefitted paint consumers through the availability of a wider variety of paints and increased innovation as the decision ensured sustained competition resulting in innovative products. Further, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) paint manufacturers were accessing the market and were able to sell their paint products.