By John Kariuki
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), is strengthening its commitment to food safety, consumer protection and international quality standards following the launch of Kenya’s National Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031.
The five-year strategic roadmap is expected to provide a coordinated framework for strengthening national food safety systems, enhancing Kenya’s participation in international food standards development and improving consumer confidence in food products.
The launch marks an important step in positioning food safety as a shared national responsibility while reinforcing the country’s commitment to protecting public health and expanding opportunities for Kenyan products in regional and international markets.
At the heart of the strategy is the recognition that food safety cannot be achieved by regulators working in isolation. It requires deliberate collaboration among government agencies, manufacturers, farmers, processors, traders, research institutions, development partners and consumers.
Through the National Codex Strategic Plan, Kenya seeks to strengthen coordination among these stakeholders, promote science-based decision-making and mobilise the necessary resources to address emerging and persistent food safety challenges.
One of the critical concerns addressed by the strategy is aflatoxin contamination, which poses significant risks to public health, agricultural productivity and trade.
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain fungi that contaminate food crops, particularly maize and groundnuts, under favourable conditions. Their presence in food and animal feeds can have serious health consequences, making effective prevention, testing, monitoring and enforcement essential.
The strategic plan therefore provides an opportunity to strengthen national interventions, improve food safety surveillance and promote the adoption of appropriate standards across agricultural value chains.
For KEBS, the initiative reinforces the importance of standards in protecting consumers while creating an environment in which businesses can produce goods that meet recognised quality and safety requirements.
Under Esther Ngari’s leadership, the Bureau continues to champion the adoption of science-based standards, stronger regulatory systems and greater awareness of quality requirements as essential pillars of consumer protection and economic development.
The Codex Alimentarius, an international collection of food standards, guidelines and codes of practice established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), provides an important reference point for countries seeking to protect consumers and facilitate fair food trade.
Kenya’s strengthened participation in Codex processes will provide opportunities for the country to contribute to the development of international food standards while ensuring that its national interests and food industry realities are represented.
This is particularly important as Kenyan agricultural and food products seek wider access to regional and global markets, where compliance with food safety and quality requirements is increasingly important.
By improving the country’s capacity to participate in international standard-setting processes, the National Codex Strategic Plan is also expected to support the competitiveness of local producers, exporters and food businesses.
Beyond trade, the strategy places consumers at the centre of food safety interventions. Stronger standards and coordinated enforcement help reduce exposure to unsafe food, strengthen accountability across supply chains and build public confidence in the products available in the market.
The launch also comes as Kenya joins the global community in marking World Quality Week, providing an opportunity to highlight the relationship between quality standards, safe food, public health and sustainable economic growth.
For households, food safety means confidence that the food purchased and consumed meets acceptable safety requirements. For businesses, it means stronger production systems, improved market access and greater consumer trust. For the country, it means a more resilient food system capable of supporting public health and economic development.
The National Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031 therefore provides a framework for moving beyond fragmented interventions towards a more coordinated national approach to food safety.
Its success will depend on effective implementation, adequate financing, stakeholder participation and consistent monitoring of progress.
As KEBS continues to advance its standards mandate, the overarching message is that protecting consumers and strengthening the competitiveness of Kenyan products must go hand in hand.
Safe Food. Better Standards. Healthier Futures
Through stronger partnerships, science-based decision-making and effective implementation of the National Codex Strategic Plan, Kenya is laying the groundwork for a safer food environment and greater confidence in its products at home and abroad.