The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) has concluded its nationwide public participation drive, aimed at advancing accreditation reforms to facilitate trade in the regional and international markets.
The accreditation body subjected three documents to the public including the Draft Kenya Accreditation Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Kenya Accreditation Service (General) Regulations, 2025 and the Kenya Accreditation Service (Fees) Regulations, 2025.
Speaking to the press at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre on the outskirts of Kisii town, KENAS Chief Executive Officer, Dr Walter Ongeti, underscored the importance of accreditation in building confidence in conformity assessment results including testing, calibration, inspection, and certification services.
Dr Ongeti said the reforms will promote strong accreditation systems that enhance quality assurance and enable Kenyan goods and services to be accepted globally.
He added the amendments will also address inflationary issues and ensure that KENAS works towards facilitating the economy to becoming a first world country.
The Director of Industries, Roy Nyangema, reiterated the Trade Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that goods and services exported within the regional economic bloc and continental markets meet the internationally accepted standards and quality.
Nyangema emphasised the value of inclusive public participation with stakeholders drawn from Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Narok, Kericho and Bomet counties, saying it will help the Ministry to improve its effectiveness in service delivery.
On his part, KENAS Board Director Zedekiah Orioki lauded the government for supporting the exercise, adding that it was key in ensuring Kenya produces quality goods and enhances export competitiveness.
The Kisii forum provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing stakeholders to submit feedback and validate proposals aimed at strengthening the accreditation framework.
Earlier in the week, KENAS held courtesy meetings with the county leadership in Kisii, where discussions focused on the role of accreditation in enhancing trust in healthcare diagnostics, certification services, regulatory oversight and overall service delivery.
By Mercy Osongo
