MSEA Uasin Gishu., Nakuru, Wajir and Kitui regional offices participated in the Draft Kenya Quality Policy hosted by the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry (MITI) across various counties. The objective of the Kenya quality policy draft development is to enhance capacity with national Quality Infrastructure (QI), strengthen the national quality infrastructure skills and technical expertise, create understanding awareness on national quality, provide a conducive legal and regulatory framework, and address emerging markets and issues. Most of the MSME’s in Kenya face challenges in accessing markets partly due to the absence of clear and internationally recognised quality infrastructure.
The quality policy is designed to promote a quality culture that will enhance consumer rights protection and ensure that producers and suppliers know their roles in providing quality. The policy is set to establish a national quality council to oversee the implementation. It further encourages Industries and other organizations to adapt to quality improvement practices thereby facilitating trade. The Government will facilitate supportive and internationally recognised QI from private sector and non-government organizations. MSME’s expressed their frustrations in implementing the current quality standards because they are not involved in making them and appreciated the participatory method taken by the government in developing the current policy draft for ownership In attendance were County Commissioner, County government officers, KIPPRA, KEBS KIE, KEPHIS and other public stakeholders.