The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), in collaboration with other enforcement agencies – Directorate of Criminial Investigations, State Department of Internal Security and Administration, Anti-Counterfeit Authority and National Construction Authority – has conducted a successful market surveillance operation that has unearthed an illegal cement cartel involved in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit and substandard cement.
During the operation targeting the hotspots of these illegal activities in Athi River, Syokimau and Kitengela, 13 suspects were arrested and will be arraigned in court to face charges related to the illegal activities.
According to a statement, eight trucks were intercepted while loaded with the siphoned, adulterated, and repackaged bags of cement from major brands.
“The crackdown, carried out over the past few days, underscores KEBS’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Kenyans by enforcing compliance with standards across all sectors.” The statement read.
The multi-agency team’s key findings from the operation include: Counterfeit and poor-quality cement was being repackaged and distributed in the market, underweight cement bags where by genuine cement was being siphoned from properly packaged bags, then repackaged in counterfeited packaging bags and sold to unsuspecting Kenyans.
The agencies also discovered that cement was adulterated with pozzolanic dust, significantly reducing its quality and performance.
Similarly, they found counterfeit packaging materials bearing the logos of reputable cement brands were being manufactured to facilitate the distribution of substandard products as well as transportation and distribution of substandard cement by unscrupulous businesspersons, endangering public safety for profit.
“These illegal activities not only deceive consumers but also jeopardize the safety and structural integrity of buildings, leading to potential loss of lives and investments when structures collapse.” Read the statement.
In recent years, the construction industry has faced a threat from substandard, counterfeited and adulterated cement products that compromise the safety and integrity of buildings and infrastructure.
These products, often marketed at lower prices, present significant risks to consumers, contractors, and the public at large.
The statement noted that unscrupulous operators also undercut genuine economic operators thus creating an uneven field and compromising fair competition.
Counterfeit and adulterated cement does not meet the quality standards requirements and often contain inferior materials, resulting in weaker cement, which can jeopardize the durability and stability of structures.
In an effort to stem these illegal activities, KEBS is taking proactive measures to protect consumers from exposure to such products by: Enforcing strict Quality Control Measures, enhance our market surveillance and testing procedures to ensure that all cement products meet the required standards of quality.
Similarly, working closely with regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies, and industry associations to combat the illegal production and distribution of counterfeit cement.
Also offering a customer hotline (toll-free number 1545 or via email at info@kebs.org and digital platforms for reporting suspected counterfeit products and seeking assistance in verifying the authenticity of cement purchased.
KEBS has assured Kenyans that it remains steadfast in its mission to uphold product quality and safety.
The agency advised the public to avoid substandard and counterfeit products by buying or using only the KEBS certified products which can be identified by checking for authorized certifications, packaging authenticity, and KEBS quality marks.
The general public has been advised to be vigilant and inform KEBS upon encountering any products suspected to be substandard urging the public to use Wajibika Na KEBS, a program that allows the public to report cases of substandard products.
To Wajibika one needs to verify whether the S-Mark permit on a product is valid by sending the code underneath the S-Mark to 20023 (SM#Code) or the ISM Mark to 20023 (ISM#UCR NO) to get product manufacturing details.
“If the details are different, invalid or not traceable to the platform, kindly report to KEBS through Toll-Free Number 1545 during official working hours 8.00 AM to 1.00 PM and 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM, Monday to Friday. If you are aware of any kind of foul play by any manufacturer, also report those cases to KEBS through the toll-free number.”
