The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has defended its approval of a contested consignment of 27,000 tonnes of imported raw sugar, assuring Parliament that the shipment underwent mandatory inspection and certification under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme before arriving in Kenya.

KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on July 28, 2026, amid heightened parliamentary scrutiny over the import’s regulatory compliance and consumer safety.

Inspection and Certification Process

Ngari explained that the sugar was inspected and certified by a KEBS-appointed agency in the exporting country. KEBS typically only conducts independent laboratory testing if there is credible evidence of non-compliance. The agency emphasized its role in ensuring that refined sugar entering the Kenyan market meets national quality and safety standards.

She clarified that the imported raw sugar was meant solely for industrial refining and not for direct household consumption. Measures are in place to prevent raw sugar from reaching retail shelves before proper processing and testing. Early samples from refined sugar batches have passed local laboratory quality checks.

Parliamentary Demand for Domestic Testing

Despite KEBS’ assurances, MPs challenged the reliance on foreign inspection reports, urging that all imported consignments undergo fresh laboratory analysis upon arrival in Kenya. They cited risks of contamination or degradation during transit and argued that local testing would enhance consumer confidence and transparency.

Tax Waivers and Documentation Concerns

This session follows a recent parliamentary inquiry into the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) clearance of the same sugar consignment. KRA confirmed that while import duty payments of about Ksh500 million were made, the importer benefited from exemptions on VAT, excise duty, and other levies totaling nearly Ksh3 billion in lost government revenue.

MPs also raised issues over incomplete documentation, including missing manufacturer details and expiry dates, instructing KRA to provide further records as investigations proceed.

Ongoing Industry Challenges

The controversy highlights long-standing concerns over sugar imports in Kenya. Lawmakers, millers, and farmers have repeatedly criticized regulatory gaps that allow industrial raw sugar to enter the consumer market after processing. Issues such as destruction of condemned sugar and licensing of refiners have also faced scrutiny.

Stakeholders argue that imported sugar arriving during local crushing seasons exerts pressure on domestic producers already coping with high costs and delayed payments.

Looking Ahead

The Trade Committee aims to determine if current inspection frameworks adequately protect consumers while meeting industrial demand. Lawmakers plan continued engagement with KEBS, KRA, and other agencies before recommending improvements to import verification and clearance procedures.