In a bid to ensure quality and that materials used in construction are authentic and up to standard, the Kenya Bureau of Standards has suspended (KEBS) manufacturing permits for a company responsible for producing building ribs.
Kenya has recently witnessed cases of buildings collapsing causing loss of properties and sometimes lives. Most cases of collapsing buildings are caused by the use of substandard materials.
To ensure such cases are not repeated, KEBS suspended the manufacturing permits for a major steel company that entered the country with a capital of Ksh3.8 billion ($30 million) and ordered the company to halt its services.
While conducting market surveillance operations, KEBS found that the company was responsible for distributing substandard ribbed bars to constructors posing a danger to Kenyans.
"These products were found to violate the EAS 412-2:2018 specifications for ribbed bars used in concrete reinforcement, posing a significant risk to construction safety and public welfare," the statement read in part.
The company, as a result, was directed to immediately halt the production of the non-compliant ribbed bars and recall all distributed substandard products from the market.
It was also directed to suspend its operations until it demonstrates full compliance with the required standards.
KEBS has also advised the public against purchasing or using ribbed bars from the steel company until further notice.
"The use of substandard construction materials undermines the structural integrity of buildings and endangers public safety," the notice continued.
In July 2023, NEMA had given the company a go-ahead to construct and operate an iron and steel plant in Mavoko Constituency, Machakos County.
While conducting an assessment report on the company before the approval, NEMA found that the company had an increased income to the proponent, optimal use of the land area, improved aesthetics, increased tax revenue to the county and national government, and creation of employment opportunities and on-job training to locals.
Although the plant has negative impacts, NEMA found that the negative impacts arising out of the proposed project development were manageable and therefore the company was allowed to proceed.
Kenyans have been challenged to ensure they only purchase products and materials that are KEBS-certified. Kenyans can authenticate this by checking authorized certifications packaging authenticity and KEBS quality mark.
