Kenyans Urged to Be Vigilant Against Fake Products

Homa Bay: The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has urged Kenyans to be vigilant and report cases of products without standardization marks. Lake Region Kebs Testing Services Manager Tom Oduor told consumers to always check the Kebs mark as it was the only guarantee that the products had passed the quality tests. He said there was a toll-free number and other channels which could be used to report products suspected to be non-standardized. According to Kenya News Agency, Oduor, speaking during a Lake Region sensitization forum in Homa Bay town, highlighted that the mark of quality could be verified online as well. He was accompanied by Quality Assurance officer Bernard Sindani and Principal Corporate Communication officer Vera Akomo. Oduor emphasized that verification of the mark protects consumers against harmful products. Oduor stated, "Consumers should ensure that what they buy was permitted to be sold in the market. One way of safeguarding yourself as a consumer is by ensuring what is bought is certified to be in the market." He urged Kenyans to work closely with Kebs to eliminate fake products in the markets and expose manufacturers and traders who use fake marks. He further noted that consumers could raise the matter through different channels, including direct phone calls to Kebs offices and social media platforms. The official mentioned that the agency regularly checks that standardization marks on products are valid as part of their market surveillance operations. During the forum, it was noted that unsafe products jeopardized trade opportunities within the East Africa Community. Oduor remarked, "Fake products generally endangers lives and damages the reputation of the country in international trade."