The government has suspended and fined two China-based agencies for allowing contraband goods to enter in the country.
On Wednesday, Industry, Trade and Co-operatives secretary Peter Munya banned China Certification and Inspections Group Company (CCIC) and Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) of Switzerland for failing to inspect goods before they were allowed into the Kenyan market.
“In the face of significant non-performance, the government has suspended activities of the two companies. The bans take effect immediately.” Munya stated.
The CS mentioned the fine was in millions of shillings but declined to give an exact figure.
The firms were also accused of failing to seal inspected container to facilitate entry of sub-standard and illicit goods.
CCIC and SGS examine goods in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand before they are loaded ready for transportation into the Kenyan market.
They violated provisions of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) which requires all inspection agents to issue certificates of conformity in respect to goods that meet the relevant standards.
Munya added that the government is reviewing the law to include criminal sanctions on any party for harm caused to the public using these products.
KEBS had contracted the two companies alongside Cotecna Inspection SA, Bureau Veritas, Intertek International Ltd to inspect goods destined to Kenya from across the globe.
In April, the state warned that any firm found dealing with contraband products would be blacklisted and its officials outlawed from conducting any business at the Mombasa port.
