The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to educate manufacturers and the public on the newly gazetted Standards Levy Order, 2025, as part of efforts to boost compliance and modernise Kenya’s industrial standards framework.
The campaign was unveiled in Nairobi, where more than 400 manufacturers and stakeholders from various industries convened to discuss the new framework and its impact on the manufacturing sector.
Representing Kebs Managing Director Esther Ngari, the agency’s Director of Finance and Strategy Mohammed Adan underscored the importance of public participation in developing policies that reflect the realities of Kenya’s changing economic landscape.
“As we reflect on our journey, it’s clear that the foundation laid three decades ago through the 1990 Standards Levy Order transformed Kenya’s trade environment,” Ngari said in her remarks. “However, that framework can no longer serve the needs of our fast-evolving economy, driven by digital trade and global supply chain shifts.”
She noted that the Standards Levy Order, 2025, has been designed to align with these emerging realities, ensuring that Kenya’s standards regime remains not just relevant but forward-looking and transformative.
The session also emphasised transparency and citizen engagement, in line with constitutional provisions that require public participation in governance and financial regulation.
“We believe in the power of collective insight,” Ngari added. “This platform allows all stakeholders to meaningfully shape a better and fairer standards system for Kenya.”
Under the new levy structure, manufacturers are required to remit a monthly payment equivalent to 0.2 percent of their turnover, excluding VAT, excise duty, and discounts. Companies with annual turnover below Sh5 million will be exempt, while payments will be capped at Sh4 million per year.
The levy, which was gazetted on August 8, 2025, is payable through the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) iTax platform by the 20th day of the following month. Failure to comply will attract a 5 percent monthly penalty on outstanding amounts, as stipulated under Section 10B (1) of the Standards Act, Cap. 496.
Kebs says the campaign aims to ensure smooth adoption of the new order, enhance awareness among manufacturers, and strengthen Kenya’s position as a competitive and quality-driven industrial hub.
