The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has cautioned business owners across the country against falling victim to cons posing as officers from the state agency conducting inspections on goods.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, KEBS announced that it is aware of individuals defrauding Kenyans under the guise of conducting product inspections in retail outlets that allegedly are in breach of the Standards Act and enabling legislation. 

The said individuals, according to the agency are employees of Multi-Works and Rights Enforcements Co. Ltd, a private company which identifies as a consumer rights/protection organisation and purports to be affiliated with KEBS.

"KEBS has received numerous complaints raised against the afore-mentioned organisation by retailers across the country. These complaints range from invasion of business premises, seizure of goods, on-the-spot fines, 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," the statement read in part.

KEBS stated that it is hellbent on maintaining a positive reputation while ensuring quality work for its stakeholders and members of the general public. The agency therefore moved to advice Kenyans on how to act when approached by officers claiming to be from the agency.

1. When KEBS staff are out of station in the execution of its legal mandate. which includes conducting market surveillance, they officially identify themselves and where applicable. produce the Certificates of Appointments and KEBS Staff Identification Cards confirming authenticity of the assignment. This identification can be further confirmed by sending an SMS with HR#Staff Number to 20023. 

2. KEBS routinely conducts market surveillance as per its approved workplans, where goods available for retail in markets are sampled for analysis, and conducts entry, search and seizure activities pursuant to the Standards Act, KEBS does not impose on-the-spot penalties/fines, neither does its Inspectors possess arresting powers. In addition. 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. 

3. KEBS is not affiliated with Multi-Works and Rights Enforcements Co. Ltd and persons purporting to be employed by the organisation, who have gone around the country impersonating KEBS Inspectors and conducting illegal activities in the name of KEBS ranging from invasion of business premises. illegal seizure of goods. illegal on-the-spot fines, solicitation of bribes, to arrests and detention of the individuals in charge of the retail premises for the sake of extortion. KEBS is consequently engaging with the relevant authorities with the aim of instituting criminal proceedings against the organisation, its members and its enablers. 

4. Economic operators confronted by individuals claiming to work for KEBS. who fail to identify themselves and their - assignment as described here in above. and who conduct 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 during working hours from 8.00 AM - 1.00 PM and 2.00 PM - 5.00 PM, Monday to Friday through Toll-Free Line 1545 and the DCI through Toll-Free Line 0800 722 203. 

5. Please note that payments for KEBS services are made ONLY via the E-Citizen platform, using the pay bill number 222222. Do not send money to individual mobile phone numbers.