The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, through the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), has embarked on nationwide public consultations aimed at aligning Kenya’s accreditation systems with international best practices to enhance product quality, consumer protection and economic competitiveness.
On Wednesday, the ministry held a public participation forum in Embu County for stakeholders from the Upper Eastern Region to collect views on proposed legal and regulatory reforms under the Kenya Accreditation Service (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Speaking during the forum held at the University of Embu grounds, Industrialization Secretary, Prof. Erastus Gatebe, said the proposed amendments are designed to strengthen Kenya’s accreditation framework and enable locally produced goods and services to access wider regional and international markets.
Prof. Gatebe noted that aligning accreditation systems with internationally recognized standards would not only improve the credibility of Kenyan products and services but also boost consumer confidence and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
“By aligning our accreditation systems with international standards, we are safeguarding consumers and ensuring our economy remains competitive both regionally and globally,” he said.
The proposed bill is being subjected to public participation alongside two draft regulations. These include the Accreditation (General) Regulations 2025, which outline procedures for accreditation, exemptions, and the use of accreditation marks, and the Accreditation (Fees) Regulations 2025, which propose updates to accreditation fees that have remained unchanged for the past 17 years.
According to Prof. Gatebe, the fee review seeks to reflect current economic realities while ensuring the sustainability of accreditation services in the country.
The Industrialization Secretary explained that the reforms mainly target Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), which include institutions involved in medical testing, calibration, inspection, and certification services.
“One of the biggest challenges we face as a country is ensuring the quality of products and services. This is why we have found it necessary, as a government, to align all aspects of accreditation, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors,” he said.
KENAS Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Walter Ongeti, said the proposed reforms build on recent legislative changes aimed at strengthening quality assurance in Kenya.
Dr. Ongeti noted that in December 2024, the president assented to the Business Laws (Amendment) Act, which made accreditation by KENAS mandatory for all bodies undertaking certification, inspection and testing activities.
“Any entity undertaking testing—whether it is a medical laboratory or product testing for water, fertilizer, or soils—is required to be accredited by KENAS,” he said.
He revealed that KENAS is targeting to accredit approximately 3,000 conformity assessment bodies across the country over the next three years.
Dr. Ongeti expressed concern over the quality of services offered by some unaccredited testing and certification bodies, noting that the reforms are aimed at enhancing safety, reliability, and consumer protection.
“We have found that the quality of some individuals and institutions carrying out these tests is wanting. This process is about safeguarding the safety and security of Kenyans,” he said.
Stakeholders were urged to actively participate in the process by submitting their proposals and views on the draft bill and regulations through various platforms, including the KENAS website, ahead of the conclusion of nationwide public forums on February 6.
By Samuel Waititu
