The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has flagged Pre-painted iron sheets that fade shortly after installation, describing them as substandard as the agency intensifies surveillance across the Lake Region.

The bureau says the defective roofing materials have repeatedly been identified through laboratory testing and consumer complaints, triggering regulatory action against non-compliant manufacturers and suppliers.

Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, June 4, 2026, market surveillance officer at the Kisumu office, David Kisiangani, said substandard products remain a key concern in the Lake Region, with iron sheets and other construction materials frequently failing required specifications.

He said KEBS continues to intercept and remove such products from the market after testing and verification confirm non-compliance.

“We still have cases of substandard iron sheets in the market, especially pre-painted ones that fade shortly after installation. These are among the products we closely monitor through both complaints and routine surveillance,” he said.

KEBS mode of testing

Kisiangani further explained that the agency uses a combination of laboratory testing and public reporting to identify unsafe or low-quality goods in circulation.

He said once a product is confirmed to be substandard, KEBS takes action that may include removal from the market or requiring manufacturers to recall affected batches.

Kisiangani added that enforcement is often followed by engagement with manufacturers to correct production processes and improve compliance rather than only punitive action.

“At KEBS, we also track complaint patterns to identify recurring issues, which helps the agency target inspections more effectively across the region,” he said.

According to him, construction materials remain among the most frequently reported goods, with iron sheets being a consistent concern among consumers.

He said KEBS has strengthened collaboration with traders and MSMEs to reduce cases of non-compliance and improve understanding of quality standards.

KEBS past flags

The intensity spans five years after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) suspended three roofing sheet companies, warning traders against flouting rules set for manufacturers.

While announcing the ban, KEBS noted the three companies were flagged for selling substandard roofing sheets contrary to specifications set by the regulator.

“The test reports revealed that the weight of the coating metal used by some brands is way below what is stipulated in the Standard. This not only greatly compromises the quality and performance of the roofing sheet metal but also, manufacturers of these brands are undercutting their competitors, resulting in a very uneven playing ground,” KEBS stated in a statement. 

At the time, KEBS accused some manufacturers of importing and processing roofing sheets that do not meet the specifications set by the regulator.