Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has moved to assure Kenyans that goods sold for human consumption in various outlets are fit.
The agency noted that through its surveillance, it has managed to check and confirm the goods in shops and supermarkets meet the set standards.
"We know Kenyans depend on the Kenya Bureau of Standards to ensure we give them what is safe and the most important thing is high integrity in all areas of operations," said acting managing director Esther Ngari.
To ensure goods condemned goods are not released to the public, Ngari said it has ensured that professionalism and integrity among its staff are observed.
It has further stated that it plans to increase its laboratories to enhance the testing of goods in the market.
The statement by the agency comes days after President William Ruto suspended 27 officials in connection with the release of 20,000 bags of contaminated sugar.
"It has since been established that the consignment was irregularly diverted and unprocedurally released. Further, the conditions relating to open and competitive enlisting of the distiller were breached and the applicable taxes were not paid," reads the statement in part.
The consignment of the sugar in question each weighing 50kgs had been imported into the country in 2018 from Harare, Zimbabwe but was condemned by KEBS for want of expiry date specification.
After KEBS condemned the sugar, it was taken to a go-down in Makongeni, Thika where it has been suspected to be stored for the last four years.
According to KEBS guidelines, “no goods that do not conform to the Kenyan standards or approved specifications shall be permitted into the country, and should be re-shipped, returned or destroyed at the expense of the importer.”
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