A consumer lobby group has put the Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KEBS) MD Esther Ngari on the spot over her statement that some products manufactured locally and sold in supermarkets do not pass through testing.
Ngari told parliament on Thursday that the testing agency was relying on trust since some of the manufacturers are certified.
All products sold in Kenya must have a standard stamp from the agency, raising questions about how KEBS has been conducting tests on products that end up in supermarket shelves.
Now, the Executive Director of Kenya Consumers Organisation Francis Orago has demanded that the MD retract the statement and offer an explanation to Kenyans.
“Manufacturers are businessmen and all they want to do is make a profit. If all KEBS does is inspection and works on trust to believe they give consumers quality, then they are very mistaken,” Orago noted.
The MD's statement on Thursday revealed that consumers are at the mercy of manufacturers, who might fail to meet standards as they cut costs.
“Manufacturers are businessmen and all they want to do is make a profit. If all KEBS does is inspection and works on trust to believe they give consumers quality, then they are very mistaken,” Orago remarked.
Orago believes that the only way to ensure that corruption is stopped in government, is to actually have the culprits pay for their actions.
"The committee should ensure they find out everything about the alleged corruption cases. That's the only way to ensure people are accountable and avoid such practices. If nothing is done, then nothing will change," the director asserted.
The KEBS acting MD made the statements during the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly on Thursday, August 10.
She was there to discuss the government's expenditure of Ksh 125.1 Million on petroleum cylinders, alleged to be riddled with corruption.
The committee led by nominated Member of Parliament John Mbadi however dismissed Esther Ngari for providing substandard answers to their questions.
