Mombasa – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has seized 24,000 electrical extension sockets at the Mombasa port, citing safety risks and failure to meet national quality standards.
The intercepted consignment, valued at Ksh2.5 million, was imported from China by Hilalium & Sons (Ur Home) Limited. The shipment was flagged after offloading at the Mitchell Cotts Container Freight Station.
According to KEBS, the extension sockets branded Ailyons posed significant risks of electrocution and fire. The 40-foot container held 30 cartons weighing 15,390 kilograms. Although the shipment was accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), KEBS officials found major discrepancies between the certified model and the products delivered.
“The model delivered was not the same as the one captured in the CoC,” KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari said in Mombasa. “The sockets lack basic safety features, including proper earthing and secure shutters, making them a serious hazard to users.”
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari confirmed that the sockets failed to meet Kenya’s required safety benchmarks and would not be allowed into circulation. KEBS has since handed the consignment over to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for either destruction or return to the country of origin, at the importer’s expense, in line with the Standards Act.
“Our priority is consumer protection,” Esther Ngari said. “These products could cause severe electrical accidents and are not fit for use in any Kenyan household or business.”
She added that KEBS has heightened inspections at ports and border points to stop the entry of substandard goods. Importers found violating quality requirements now face strict enforcement measures, including seizure and prosecution.
This action comes amid broader efforts to shield Kenyan consumers from unsafe and counterfeit products, particularly in high-risk sectors like electronics.
KEBS urged importers to adhere to the approved certification processes and warned that it will not tolerate any attempts to bypass quality checks.
The seizure highlights growing scrutiny of imported electrical products in Kenya, especially those entering through key ports like Mombasa.
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