The government has launched a crackdown on businesses that tamper with weighing scales to con Kenyans of their hard-earned money.
This is after a section of Kenyans complained of receiving less than the required amount when they purchased goods such as meat and cereals.
Reports indicated that several butcheries and shops located in major towns are notorious for the vice.
"You've got unscrupulous traders who hoodwink Kenyans. You buy a 1-kilogram product and find that it is either 50 grams or 100 grams less," lamented one buyer.
The crackdown began in various counties including Kiambu where various officials are visiting the businesses to assess the state of the weighing scales.
"Farmers are feeling hoodwinked after traders intentionally tamper with the weighing scales to gain a profit," Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi told the media.
Further, county officials confirmed that the crackdown ought to put on notice other traders who are fond of conning Kenyans by providing lackluster services.
"We shall have periodic checks for all the weighing balances because there are so many things that are happening, even in our petrol stations," a county official added.
"There's a need for county governments to go around and assess if the weighing scales are tampered with or not."
He added that the preferred weighing scales should have a government stamp that indicates the machine provides the correct quantity at the point of sale.
According to the Ministry of Trade, business owners are required to ensure that all equipment in their possession for use bears a valid stamp of verification.
"If an inspector tests your equipment and reports to you that it is inaccurate, ensure that the equipment is repaired and re-stamped before putting it back for use for trade.
"If the accuracy of your equipment is suspected for any reason take it out of use and call an inspector immediately," the Ministry states on its site.
"Ensure that a pre-packed goods sold by you complies with the weights and measures sale and labeling of goods rules."
