The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in conjunction with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is set to undertake a crackdown targeting brands of cosmetics said to contain harmful quantities of mercury and hydroquinone.
With at least 130 banned skin-lightening creams readily available in shops across the country, Kebs managing director Bernard Njiraini noted that Kenya was heading towards a crisis as witnessed in parts of West Africa.
The operation will target major distributors and importers accused of smuggling the banned cosmetics into the country.
"We have banned a number of cosmetics that have hydroquinone and mercury and we are very sure they don't come to this country through the authorised ports of entry, but through porous borders.
"We are working out a multi-agency plan with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to target the big distributors and dismantle the chain," Njiraini told Sunday Nation.
Kebs' efforts to take the banned products off the shelves have been hampered by an under-staffed market surveillance team that only has 43 workers.
Njiraini maintained that market surveillance would be a big part of the new operation in addition to the multi-agency approach.
"The public must also join us, because one may know a user of the cosmetics who can lead us through the value chain and arrest the cartels.
"If we don't, our children are going to probably land on these dangerous products and we will find ourselves where West Africa found itself with regards to these dangerous cosmetics," Njiraini stated.
Among the banned brands are popular lotions, creams, gels and soaps sold in many cosmetics stores around the country.
Most of the products are imported before being re-branded with local names and unique packaging.
Among the banned creams are Dark & Lovely Cream, Movate Cream, Skin Success Gel, Jaribu Cream, Fair and White Gel Plus, Madonna Medicated Cream and Peau Claire Cream.
According to various studies, hydroquinone and mercury in cosmetics products can damage the top layer of one's skin, increase the risk of skin cancer and can potentially cause liver and kidney damage.
