The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has unveiled 416 new standards targeting key sectors among them food, agriculture and transport to improve safety and quality.

Others targeted are electro-technical, engineering, chemical, leather and textile.

Kebs said the standards would mainly seek to streamline Kenya's objective of attaining Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well being.

This was during this year’s World Standards Day celebration in Nairobi.

Kebs managing director Esther Ngari said the launch showcases commitment to progress and the promotion of safety, quality and sustainability.

“Ten of the newly introduced standards are geared towards intelligent transport systems, a move strategically aligned with the objectives of SDG 3, aiming to mitigate road traffic accidents,” Ngari said.

Trade CS Rebecca Miano applauded the move, saying Kebs plays a pivotal role in realising the broader goals of the Kenya Kwanza government.

"Through such initiatives, we are ensuring that our products are globally competitive and reflect our nation's dedication to safety, quality and innovation. These standards form the backbone of the aspirations of Kenya Vision 2030," Miano said.

Industry PS Juma Mukhwana said the new standards mark a decisive step in bridging gaps in various sectors and enhancing the efficiency of the country's industries.

“We need to further efforts in ensuring that sectors such as healthcare and nutrition have robust standards. Stringent measures ensure the safety of medical devices, notably syringes, directly impacting the reduction of disease spread,” Mukhwana said.

He however challenged Kebs to address the concern of having a good number of standards that are not functional in the market, and also to factor in concerns that most products coming from MSMEs that are not certified.

"We have about 10 thousand standards in the market, yet only 10 per cent of them are functional and being used across various sectors. This call to action, either to replace them or revitalise them to fit the current environment," he said.