The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has affirmed that it adhered to all mandated inspection and verification steps before clearing a contentious shipment of raw sugar imported by Mombasa Sugar Refinery Limited. This statement was made during a session with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, which is investigating discrepancies linked to the sugar consignment.

KEBS Compliance and Verification Process

KEBS clarified that the imported raw sugar met the standards outlined in KS EAS 8:2021, which governs quality requirements for cane sugar intended for industrial processing. The agency's role, it emphasized, is limited to conformity assessment under the Standards Act and does not cover customs duties or commercial origin verification.

Before release, KEBS conducts thorough checks including validation of import documents, authentication of the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), review of customs entries, and physical inspection of the cargo to ensure it matches the accompanying certification.

Inspection and Multi-Agency Oversight

  • The consignment underwent Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) in the exporting country by a KEBS-approved contractor.
  • Upon arrival, KEBS officers physically verified the shipment to confirm consistency with the CoC and quality standards.
  • The importer presented a CoC from Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) and a Certificate of Analysis confirming compliance.
  • KEBS participates in a Multi-Agency Team led by the Kenya Sugar Board to monitor the custody, movement, and proper use of imported raw sugar.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifications

KEBS acknowledged concerns about potential diversion of industrial sugar into retail but reassured that government safeguards are in place to prevent misuse. The agency also explained that officers assigned to the Multi-Agency Team were selected based on expertise and standard administrative procedures, without extending KEBS’s legal mandate.

Managing Director Esther Ngari refuted claims that the sugar originated from Brazil, confirming the shipment came from South Africa.

Ongoing Parliamentary Inquiry

The parliamentary committee, chaired by Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, continues to examine the importation process to determine if regulatory or administrative lapses occurred. KEBS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting trade facilitation while protecting consumers through strict standards enforcement and inter-agency collaboration.