KEBS destroys Sh20.7 million worth substandard goods

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has intensified its fight on substandard goods in the country. Through market surveillance and inspection, KEBS has netted and destroyed substandard goods valued at over Sh20.7 million. 

KEBS today incinerated the substandard goods at Athi River EPZa grounds. These, substandard products, range from medical appliances such as syringes, electrical appliances, electronic household appliances and equipment, building materials, motor-cycle inner tubes among others. 

Last year in April, KEBS destroyed goods valued at Ksh 37 million making a total of Ksh. 57.7 million the value of substandard goods destroyed in the country in the last 11 months. 

KEBS, Managing Director, Mr. Charles Ongwae, who witnessed the destruction of the substandard goods, said this exercise is a warning to traders and manufacturers of such products. Ongwae, also called on Kenyans to be vigilante when purchasing any goods and always to check on KEBS marks of quality.

“Last year April, we destroyed substandard goods valued at Sh 37 million. Today we’re gathered here to witness destruction of yet another set of substandard goods that our market surveillance officers have seized from the market. The goods you see here are valued at Sh20.7 million,” said Ongwae. 

Mr. Ongwae further stressed that his organization core mandate is to avail standards that are used to facilitate trade, protecting consumers from harmful and poor quality goods and finally protecting the environment.

During the same function, KEBS called on Kenyans to make use of the sms code service of 20023 to check if a product has been certified.