The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has raised the alarm over a private company that has been conducting raids on businesses across the country.
In a statement dated Tuesday, April 16, the agency tasked with setting standards for goods, noted that it had received numerous complaints over the rise of raids conducted by the private company.
KEBS clarified that the private company was not operating at the behest of the agency and was not authorised to conduct any surveillance in the market.
Therefore, Kenyans were warned to be alert should the private company's officials visit their businesses.
"KEBS has received numerous complaints raised against the aforementioned organisation by retailers across the country. These complaints range from invasion of business premises, seizure of goods, on-the-spot fines, and solicitation of bribes, to arrests and detention of the individuals in charge of the retail premises for the sake of extorting ransom money from them.
"As the government's premier conformity assessment body in the country, KEBS places a high premium on its reputation, security and trust of its stakeholders, including the business community," he stated.
On the other hand, the regulatory authority also noted that it had involved the police in investigating the allegations of extortion, adding that those who were involved in the scheme would be brought to book.
"Economic operators confronted by individuals claiming to work for KEBS, who fail to identify themselves and their assignment as described herein above, and who conduct an illegal invasion of business premises, illegal seizure of goods, illegal on-the-spot fines, solicitation of bribes, and illegal arrests and detention of the individuals with the aim of extortion, should immediately report the matter to KEBS," read the statement in part.
Meanwhile, KEBS maintained that its officials are required to identify themselves whenever they are undertaking inspections in the market.
The documentation that Kenyans need to ask for from KEBS officials includes certificates of appointments and KEBS Staff identification cards.
The authenticity of the IDs can also be confirmed by sending an SMS with HR#Staff Number to 20023.
"During a market surveillance field inspection activity, and in line with the provisions of the Fair Administrative Action Act, KEBS Inspectors issue Sample Collection Forms and Seizure Notification Forms to culprits and give them sufficient timelines to respond to KEBS findings," read the statement in part.
