The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is under scrutiny for engaging Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ) to validate import documents for used vehicles, a decision that has raised concerns over increased costs and procurement transparency.

• The new validation fee of Sh12,000 per vehicle, in addition to the current inspection fee of approximately Sh20,000, could generate nearly Sh1 billion for QISJ based on 2023 import volumes.
• The National Assembly Trade Committee has summoned Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana (State Department of Industry), Managing Director Esther Ngaari (KEBS), and CEO Walter Ongeti (Kenya Accreditation Services) to address the matter.
• The committee will investigate whether the engagement followed competitive procurement processes, if QISJ is accredited under ISO/IEC 17029:2019, and if the new process duplicates duties of agencies like KRA and NTSA.