The Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to harnessing accreditation as a catalyst for positive transformation and advancement.
Industrialisation Secretary Professor Erastus Gatebe explained that the government was formulating policies and legislation aimed at aligning Kenya’s accreditation systems with international best practices to enhance product quality, consumer protection and economic competitiveness.
Professor Gatebe said accreditation serves as an enabler in various economic sectors, noting that it stands as a cornerstone of trust and reliability, ensuring that products, services, and systems meet stringent standards of quality, health and safety.
He said the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry (MITI) will provide support to the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) as it seeks to review the KENAS Act (2019) as a way of strengthening the institution to make it more responsive to the emerging needs of the society.
The secretary made the remarks during a public participation forum at the Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI) in Nakuru for stakeholders to collect views on the proposed legal and regulatory reforms under the Kenya Accreditation Service (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The official said that the government recognises the indispensable role of accreditation in fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and promoting sustainable development.
While acknowledging the role accreditation assumes in the rapidly evolving landscape, characterised by digitalisation, technological advancements, and industrialisation, the Industrialisation PS noted that accreditation serves as a catalyst for embracing emerging technologies, facilitating their seamless integration into the industries and daily lives.
According to Professor Gatebe, accreditation contributes to the sustainability of goals by promoting environmentally friendly practices and supporting initiatives aimed at conserving natural resources.
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.
He said the Ministry was working closely with KENAS and other partners in the formulation of the Kenya Quality Policy.
“As we look to the future, it is incumbent upon us to harness the full potential of accreditation to address the complex challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” he elaborated.
Through collaboration and partnership between government, industry stakeholders, and accreditation bodies, the country can build a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Kenyans, he added.
Professor Gatebe indicated that KENAS was aligned with the government’s agenda to boost manufacturing and drive export-led growth, adding that Accreditation was the cornerstone of quality and trust in the rapidly evolving world.
“We are aligned with the government’s agenda to boost manufacturing and drive export-led growth and Accreditation ensures product acceptability, safety, and quality,” he stated.
He pointed out that the rapid pace of technological advancements brings about new challenges related to security, privacy, and ethical considerations; hence, the need for robust accreditation frameworks.
In December 2024, President William Ruto assented to the Business Laws (Amendment) Act, which made accreditation by KENAS mandatory for all bodies undertaking certification, inspection and testing activities.
Professor Gatebe noted that aligning accreditation systems with internationally recognised 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 the accreditation systems with international standards, the secretary said that the country would be safeguarding consumers and ensuring the economy remained competitive both regionally and globally.
He noted that accreditation lies at the heart of the country’s transformation journey, building trust, boosting exports, and ensuring consumer safety. These, he added, are all crucial for driving industrial growth and global competitiveness for Kenyan-made products.
The official pointed out that Kenya must move beyond policy declarations and actively embed accreditation practices into all sectors if it hopes to join the ranks of developed nations.
Accreditation involves the formal recognition that institutions or laboratories meet global standards of competence. It is the foundation that ensures products, systems, and professionals meet international benchmarks, a critical element for expanding access to export markets and attracting foreign investment.
Acting Chief Manager for Inspection and Certification at KENAS Michael Tallam emphasised that accreditation works behind the scenes to strengthen quality infrastructure and improve systems across sectors.
He said while its impact is often invisible, it shapes the performance and reliability of industries that drive national economies.
Mr Tallam indicated that 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.
The official 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.
These proposed regulations, he said, were poised to further enhance the standards and quality of services provided across the continent, contributing to public health, research, and sports integrity, ensuring Africa’s trade and quality infrastructure remain robust and resilient.
With 265 accredited clients to date, including over 100 medical laboratories, KENAS now provides accreditation services in over 12 African countries, playing a key role in strengthening the continent’s quality infrastructure.
Mr Tallam assured that KENAS is committed to strengthening quality infrastructure across Africa, driving economic growth, and ensuring the safety and reliability of products and services both domestically and internationally.
He said by enhancing mutual recognition of accreditation across African nations, businesses can navigate complex regulatory environments more easily, fostering intra-African trade and promoting the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
By Esther Mwangi and Dennis Rasto
