KEBS Cracks Down on Uncertified Goods in Karen, Ngong, and Kiserian

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has confiscated uncertified consumer products in Kajiado County, raising concerns about public health and food safety. 

The operation, conducted on Friday, 25 July, targeted Karen, Ngong town, and Kiserian, where authorities seized items deemed unfit for consumption. Among the confiscated goods are roasted groundnuts, brown sugar, dog food, and various animal feeds lacking the mandatory Standardisation Mark (SM), which indicates compliance with national safety and quality benchmarks. 

The absence of this certification violates regulatory requirements and potentially renders the products hazardous, according to KEBS officials. Roasted groundnuts, widely sold and consumed, were found without traceable manufacturing details. KEBS warns that this lack of transparency compromises the ability to verify hygiene standards, ingredient integrity, and shelf life, which are critical for consumer protection.

Animal feed distributors were also implicated, with bulk sales of uncertified products uncovered. KEBS cautions that substandard feed poses a serious threat to livestock health, undermining food safety across the agricultural value chain. The sale of uncertified brown sugar was also targeted. Officials note that unverified sugar may contain contaminants such as excessive moisture or adulterants, which could lead to long-term health complications.

This crackdown is part of KEBS’s broader campaign to ensure that only certified goods reach the Kenyan market. The bureau has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public welfare through rigorous enforcement and consumer education. The bureau urges Kenyans to remain vigilant by checking for the SM label on products and verifying authenticity via SMS or the toll-free hotline.