KEBS Issues Notice to Car Dealers & Building Contractors

Cars pictured at a port in Mombasa.
Cars pictured at a port in Mombasa.
File

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Monday, December 14 issued urgent notices to contractors and car dealers.

The agency has set new guidelines for the maintenance and repair of concrete structures in a move to enhance safety in housing construction.

The new guidelines provide a framework and general principles for the maintenance and repair of existing concrete structures.

Workers pictured at a construction site.
Workers pictured at a construction site.
File

The new guidelines also touch on construction requirements for sludge treatment, storage facilities in wastewater treatment plants, precast concrete channels, edgings and quadrants.

KEBS Managing Director Bernard Njiraini highlighted the importance of housing and setting standards in the sector.

"Housing and construction is one of the pillars of the National Big Four Agenda and very crucial in the country's economic, social and civic development.

"It is paramount to uphold standards to ensure the growth and sustainability of the housing sector and boost the Kenyan economy," Njiraini noted.

Contractors are advised to visit KEBS official portal to access the full list of the standards approved or confirmed by the National Standards Council in November 2020.

Once in the portal proceed to 'What we do' then to Standards Development and click on SAC approved standards.

KEBS also notified car importers and dealers of the eight-year age limit for vehicles. Only those whose first registration is from 1st January 2014 shall be allowed into the country effective 1st January 2021.

KEBS further stated that certificates of roadworthiness for vehicles whose year of first registration is 2013 will not be valid after 31st December 2020.

A photo of vehicles at a yard awaiting auction in Mombasa County in 2019.
A photo of vehicles at a yard awaiting auction in Mombasa County in 2019.
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Auctioneers Kenya