Kebs never inspected top range cars, Kenyan MPs told

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) was Monday taken to task over failure to inspect imported top of the range vehicles.

The agency was unable to explain to MPs why it failed to inspect the vehicles, which have been impounded by the tax man for non-payment of duty.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan-led Public Investments Committee took to task Kebs Managing Director Charles Ongwae to explain how vehicles impounded by Kenya Revenue Authority entered the market.

Kebs is mandated to ensure international standards on imports are adhered to, and no cargo can leave the Port of Mombasa without its authority.

"Kebs are in position to get every document of import even if it is a needle. They must give a certificate before any cargo, including cars leave the port," Manyatta MP Muchiri Nyagah said.

LACK OF CAPACITY

The interrogation followed Mr Ongwae's admission that the vehicles were not inspected by the bureau.

"It is true there are vehicles that were imported, which did not pay duty and we are in the process of investigating whether there was intervention by our agents in Japan or elsewhere. Information we have is that there was no Kebs intervention and that the vehicles may have not been inspected. These are illegal and criminal activities that we are investigating together with other arms of Government," Mr Ongwae said.

He said whereas it was not possible for Kebs' agent in Japan to verify what is shipped into Kenya if they were not declared as vehicles, the standards officers at the Port of Kilindini would have "ordinarily known".

Ongwae also admitted the bureau has no local capacity to inspect vehicles for emission, but relies on its Japan agent.

"Quality Inspection Service Japan does the checks for us," he said.