The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has warned the public of impostors posing as KEBS officers to defraud unknowing business people.
Speaking during a KEBS media engagement forum in Kilifi, KEBS Market Surveillance Manager, Coast Region, Peter Makan warned businesses to always verify the identity of KEBS officers who visit their premises.
“We have had a challenge with impostors who pose as KEBS, the public should be vigilant. A KEBS officer always has a work badge and you can verify their identity by sending the badge number to 20023, it will give you the person’s full name. If that does not happen, then they should explain where they are from because many people are falling victims to these fraudsters,” said Makan.
“Impostors have been rampant, they are going to shops or outlets around the country pretending to be KEBS and inspecting products. Last time, they were in Bamburi and Kwale, luckily our officers on ground apprehended and took them to the police station,” he added.
Makan said KEBS has been carrying out sensitisation forums around the country to curb the impostors challenge.
“When our officers come to the ground for inspection, they will notify you on the procedure to follow in case of anything,” he said.
The bureau also urged Kenyans to ensure that the products they buy have a KEBS standardisation mark.
“Sometimes you are not sure where someone has gotten their products from, if they have the KEBS standardisation mark then it is a surety than the product has been tested and certified. You can check the certification by sending the mark to 20023, if there are any issues, call 1545 to report,” said Makan.
