Traders dealing in counterfeit and substandard products across western Kenya have been put on notice after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) announced an intensified market surveillance campaign aimed at flushing out fake goods and protecting consumers.
The standards agency said it will strengthen enforcement operations across the region while working closely with the media and members of the public to identify and remove products that fail to meet the required quality standards.
Speaking during a media engagement forum in Kisumu on Thursday, KEBS Acting Regional Manager for the Lake Region, Felix Omindi, said the agency serves 11 counties and remains at the forefront of safeguarding consumers from unsafe and substandard products.
“We cover about 11 counties, including Busia, Migori, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, parts of Bomet, Siaya, Kakamega and Vihiga counties,” said Omindi.
He noted that KEBS provides a range of services in the region, including testing, metrology, product certification, market surveillance and quality inspection.
“Our services in Kisumu include testing, metrology, product certification, market surveillance and quality inspection. We also support other KEBS services, including certification and the National Quality Institute, which is responsible for training and offering consultancy services on quality-related matters,” he said.
KEBS Market Surveillance Officer David Kisiangani said the agency is stepping up efforts to identify traders and manufacturers who continue to flood the market with uncertified products, warning that such goods will be confiscated and removed from circulation.
“We want to engage with the media and ensure you are informed about our services so that you can help highlight the quality of products in the market,” said Kisiangani. “You become our informers on products that are not certified or do not meet quality standards.”
He urged consumers to report suspicious products through KEBS offices or the agency’s toll-free hotline.
“The public can walk into any KEBS office and raise a complaint or use our toll-free number,” he said. “Products that do not meet the required standards will be removed from the market, and manufacturers will be required to comply with the rules and regulations set by KEBS.”
Kisiangani revealed that roofing materials, particularly iron sheets, remain among the products that generate the highest number of consumer complaints.
“The product that the public complains about most is iron sheets, especially those that wear out faster than expected,” he said. “We encourage members of the public not to be afraid to approach KEBS whenever they encounter such issues.”
Meanwhile, Omindi announced that KEBS is seeking public participation on three draft regulations intended to strengthen quality assurance, testing and certification processes across the country.
“KEBS is sourcing views from the public on three draft regulations that have been proposed to support our regulatory mandate,” he said.
Among the proposals is the Standards, Testing and Designation of Laboratory Regulations, which seek to expand testing capacity by allowing accredited laboratories to offer testing services for regulatory purposes.
The agency is also reviewing the Product Certification Regulations 2026, aimed at simplifying and strengthening the certification process to ensure only quality products reach consumers.
“We are seeking public views to ensure products in the market meet the required quality standards,” Omindi said.
The third proposal under review is the Standards, Metrology and Calibration Regulations 2026.
“All members of the public are advised and encouraged to visit our website, interact with the draft regulations and submit their proposals through the email address regulations@kebs.org. The submission process is still open,” he added.
The officials said closer collaboration between KEBS, the media and consumers will be critical in the ongoing crackdown against counterfeit and substandard goods, which continue to pose risks to public safety and undermine fair trade.
