The Competition Tribunal has upheld the Competition Authority of Kenya’s (CAK) Ksh 287.9 million fine against seven steel manufacturers for colluding to fix prices and restrict imports.
The companies fined include Corrugated Sheets Ltd., Tononoka Rolling Mills Ltd., Devki Steel Mills Ltd., Jumbo Steel Mills Ltd., Accurate Steel Mills Ltd., Nail and Steel Products Ltd., and Blue Nile Wire Products Ltd.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 15, CAK said the Tribunal, during a sitting in Nairobi on September 11, 2025, dismissed the appeals lodged separately by Jumbo Steel Mills Limited and Corrugated Sheets Limited, which had sought to quash the Authority’s decision.
Earlier, on July 9, 2025, the Tribunal had similarly dismissed appeals by Tononoka Rolling Mills Limited, Blue Nile Wire Products Limited, Devki Steel Mills Limited, Accurate Steel Mills Limited, and Nail and Steel Products Limited in favor of the Authority.
“The Authority welcomes the decision of the Competition Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’) to uphold its finding that seven steel companies engaged in cartel conduct by colluding to fix prices, coordinating price adjustments, and agreeing to limit imports of certain steel components,” CAK said.
“These practices potentially inflated the cost of constructing homes and infrastructure projects.”
Devki Steels Among Seven Firms Fined Ksh 287.9 Million for Price Fixing
Corrugated Sheets Ltd. was fined the highest amount of Ksh 86.97 million, followed by Tononoka Rolling Mills Ltd. with Ksh 62.71 million, and Devki Steel Mills Ltd., which was fined Ksh 46.29 million.
Other firms penalized include Jumbo Steel Mills Ltd. (Ksh 33.14 million), Accurate Steel Mills Ltd. (Ksh 26.83 million), Nail and Steel Products Ltd. (Ksh 22.82 million), and Blue Nile Wire Products Ltd., which received the lowest fine of Ksh 9.16 million.
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CAK Director-General David Kemei stated that the Tribunal’s findings affirm the Authority’s unwavering commitment to protecting Kenyan consumers and businesses from the damaging effects of cartel conduct, as well as the veracity and completeness of its evidence-gathering, analysis, and decision-making processes.
“Price fixing and output restrictions inflate prices for consumers, stifle innovation, and hinder economic progress. The Authority will continue enforcing the law firmly and fairly to ensure that our markets work for all Kenyans,” Kemei said.
Competition Watchdog Affirms Fines
The decision stems from an earlier determination by the Authority on August 17, 2023, which found that fourteen steel companies had colluded to fix prices, thereby restricting competition and unfairly burdening consumers of this key construction input.
This conclusion was based on a thorough review of evidence obtained through market intelligence and search and seizure operations at the companies’ premises.
Following this decision, five companies entered into settlement negotiations with the Authority before a final decision was rendered, in accordance with Section 38 of the Competition Act.
This alternative dispute resolution process aimed to facilitate a speedy and cost-effective case resolution, promptly restoring effective competition in the market.
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Cumulatively, the Authority penalized the other nine companies Ksh 338.8 million, among them Doshi & Company (Hardware) Limited and Brollo Kenya Limited.
In addition to the fines, the Authority required the steel companies to desist from engaging in anti-competitive conduct and to implement internal competition compliance programs.
The companies individually challenged the sanctions at the Tribunal within the 30-day statutory timeframe, in line with their right to appeal under Section 40 of the Competition Act.
At the Tribunal, the companies challenged the Authority’s administrative process on procedural and legal grounds.
However, the Tribunal affirmed that the Authority had accorded all parties due process in line with Article 47 of the Constitution of Kenya, the Fair Administrative Action Act, and the Competition Act.
In the course of the appeals, and pursuant to Article 159 (2)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya, Doshi & Company (Hardware) Limited and Brollo Kenya Limited entered into out-of-court settlements with the Authority.
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