The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Mombasa Port and Northern Corridor Community Charter (MPNCCC), emphasizing its pivotal role in enhancing trade efficiency and transparency. Through rigorous quality standards, KEBS plays an instrumental role in ensuring that Kenya remains competitive in global trade, aligning its operations with the MPNCCC’s objectives to facilitate smoother and faster cargo clearance, which ultimately benefits both the economy and consumers.
In a recent media briefing at the Internal Container Depot in Nairobi, KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari highlighted the agency’s dedication to improving Kenya’s trade operations. She expressed confidence in KEBS’ ability to help streamline trade processes by ensuring that only compliant products reach the Kenyan market. “At KEBS, we are dedicated to ensuring the efficient and transparent facilitation of trade through rigorous quality standards. We have continuously worked to align our operations with the MPNCCC’s objectives, enabling faster cargo clearance and improving service delivery to our stakeholders,” said Ngari through KEBS Director Dr. Muriira.
Under the MPNCCC framework, KEBS has made remarkable strides in reducing the turnaround time for sampled import consignments. In 2018, the process took an average of 20 days, but this has now been reduced to just seven days by 2024. This substantial improvement reflects KEBS’ commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and reducing delays in the supply chain. Furthermore, consignments that are accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoC) from the country of origin can now be cleared within one hour, down from two hours in 2018. The same timeframe applies to consignments that undergo local inspection or are exempt from Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC), a program operated by KEBS to assess the quality of imported products.
The PVoC program ensures that products meet Kenyan standards and specifications before being shipped to the country, thus protecting consumers from substandard or counterfeit goods. By facilitating the clearance of compliant goods quickly, the program also plays a key role in supporting Kenya’s trade efficiency.
Since its launch in 2014, the MPNCCC has served as a collaborative framework aimed at modernizing the Mombasa Port and Northern Corridor. The Charter seeks to enhance infrastructure, increase cargo throughput, and improve service delivery, all of which are vital to Kenya’s trade ambitions. KEBS has worked closely with other stakeholders to align its operations with the Charter’s broader vision of transforming the corridor into a world-class trade and transport hub.
To further enhance trade facilitation, KEBS has embraced cutting-edge technology, particularly the KEBS Integrated Management System (KIMS). KIMS, which is linked to KENTRADE for cargo clearance and E-Citizen for payment processing, has significantly reduced delays and improved service delivery. Dr. Muriira emphasized the importance of these technological innovations, noting that they have streamlined import processes and increased transparency, contributing to more efficient trade operations.
“Through the enhanced KEBS Integrated Management System, we have streamlined import processes, reduced inefficiencies, and increased transparency. These advancements ensure KEBS continues to support Kenya’s trade and economic goals while upholding quality and safety standards,” Dr. Muriira stated.
The MPNCCC framework brings together key stakeholders such as the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Railways, the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa, and the Kenya Ships Agents Association (KSAA). Together, these entities are working towards creating a competitive, efficient, and reliable trade corridor that will position Kenya as a regional trade powerhouse.
A recent media tour, organized by MPNCCC stakeholders, showcased the progress made in aligning operations and investments with the Charter’s objectives. As the MPNCCC continues to evolve, KEBS remains a crucial player in realizing the vision of a world-class trade corridor, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing Kenya’s position in global trade.
Through its dedication to improving trade efficiency and ensuring the highest standards of quality, KEBS is helping Kenya build a more competitive and transparent trading environment, which is essential for the nation’s economic growth and success on the global stage.
