NAIROBI — Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui has called on Kenyan manufacturers to pursue the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Diamond Mark of Quality to enhance product trust, expand access to regional markets, and raise Kenya’s industrial reputation.
Speaking at a KEBS-hosted breakfast at Serena Hotel, Kinyanjui urged producers to embed quality into their operations and aim for the Diamond Mark, which is awarded to companies that consistently meet and exceed Kenyan and international quality standards.
“The Diamond Mark gives our products a competitive edge. It signals excellence and inspires confidence among regional and global consumers,” Kinyanjui said.
The Cabinet Secretary, joined by Principal Secretary for Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana, emphasized that the government is prioritizing quality as a national goal and will continue to support local manufacturers through policy improvements and reduced import barriers.
He said the administration is strengthening the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) exemption program for raw materials, plant machinery, and spare parts to reduce customs delays and lower costs for manufacturers.
“This is about removing unnecessary hurdles and ensuring local factories have timely access to essential inputs,” he added.
The Diamond Mark is a voluntary certification awarded to manufacturers that meet strict quality benchmarks and implement recognized systems like ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 22000 for food safety. Companies must demonstrate consistent compliance through multiple test results and are subject to regular audits and monitoring.
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari said that since its introduction in 1996, 1,263 local and international products have received the Diamond Mark. She described it as “a symbol of consistent excellence and proof of ongoing commitment to quality.”
Ngari also emphasized that quality is attainable for all, including small and medium-sized enterprises. KEBS is scaling up awareness campaigns to bring more local firms into the certification program.
“Quality is not reserved for multinationals. We want more SMEs to step forward. The Diamond Mark is within reach,” she said, encouraging local businesses to apply for the 2025 Kenya Quality Awards.
Dr. Chris Wamalwa, Chairman of the National Standards Council, praised the mark for putting Kenyan products on the international map. “This certification shows consistency, safety, and environmental care. It proves that manufacturers are serious about quality,” he said.
Products with the Diamond Mark enjoy faster market clearance, are exempted from PVoC inspections for Kenyan imports, and gain wider acceptance in regional markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Kinyanjui said the Diamond Mark plays a key role in Kenya’s economic strategy. “Quality supports innovation, job creation, and GDP growth. It ties directly to our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” he said.
The meeting was attended by executives from top manufacturing firms, KEBS officials, and industry leaders, all pushing for greater adherence to global standards as Kenya positions itself as a regional trade powerhouse.
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