Kebs deal with Japanese firm for car inspections under scrutiny

Industry PS Juma Mukhwana during the launch of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers' Route to Market Strategy 2025–2027 at Hyatt Place, Nairobi, on April 23, 2025. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The decision by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) to issue a notice informing the public that it had engaged Quality Inspection Services Japan (QISJ) to carry out validation of import documents to determine the age of used motor vehicles before importation has raised public attention.

The notice, dated July 8, 2025, has caught the attention of Kenyans, given that the levy imposed for the contracted services will increase the cost of imported motor vehicles.

The National Assembly Trade Committee has summoned Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana, Kebs Managing Director Esther Ngari, and Kenya Accreditation Service (Kenas) Chief Executive Officer Walter Ongeti to deliberate on the matter on Thursday.

“The attention of the National Assembly Trade Committee has been drawn to the Kenya Bureau of Standards notice, with the matter (QISJ) having raised concerns among members of the public. Under its mandate, the Committee has resolved to invite you to the meeting to apprise it on various issues,” read the summons.

“The National Assembly Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Committee would like to know how KeBS engaged or procured the services of Quality Inspection Services Japan to provide document validation and verification services for imported used motor vehicles.”

The Committee will seek to establish whether the engagement was conducted through a competitive procurement process in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, the criteria used to select QISJ, and whether other local or international firms were considered.

The Committee will also seek confirmation on whether QISJ has been formally accredited by Kenas or any other recognised accreditation body under the ISO/IEC 17029:2019 standard on conformity assessment — general principles and requirements for validation bodies.

“We will need clarification on the role to be played by Kenas, the KRA, the National Transport and Safety Authority, or any other agency in relation to vehicle document verification,” read the summons.

Lawmakers will scrutinise how Kebs has prevented duplication of mandates in authenticating vehicle registration documents already verified by other authorities.