The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has seized a shipment of substandard electrical extension sockets worth around Sh2.5 million at the Mitchell Cotts Freight Station in Kibarani, Mombasa.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
The 40-foot container, containing 24,300 extension sockets packed in 30 cartons, was found to violate safety standards outlined in KS EAS 495 Parts 1 and 2.
According to KEBS, the sockets lacked key safety features, posing risks of electrocution and fire if used. KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari oversaw the handover of the consignment to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for either return to the country of origin or destruction at the importer’s cost.
“These sockets do not meet safety requirements and are therefore unsafe for use in Kenya,” Ngari stated. “Allowing them into the market would endanger consumers.”
The seizure forms part of KEBS’s broader campaign to stop unsafe imports from entering the local market. Ngari emphasized the agency’s continued commitment to safeguarding consumers by enforcing strict product standards through inspection and testing both at the source and within Kenya.
She added that KEBS has intensified market surveillance efforts at all entry points and across retail outlets to ensure compliance with national standards.
Importers were urged to adhere to these standards and consult KEBS before bringing in goods, to avoid losses through confiscation or destruction.
“We advise all importers to comply with the applicable regulations to avoid penalties and product seizures,” said Ngari.
KEBS also highlighted recent investments in modern testing equipment and enhanced cooperation with agencies like KRA to strengthen enforcement efforts.
The bureau reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection, quality assurance, and the promotion of fair trade by ensuring that only safe and compliant products reach the Kenyan market.
