KENAS participates at the Kenya Sanitation Governance Conference and Exhibition 2024 in Kisumu
KENAS showcased the significance of accreditation in testing and calibration laboratories in the water sector at the Kenya Sanitation Governance Conference and Exhibition 2024, held at Ciala Resort, Kisumu. This prestigious annual event, hosted by the Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA), attracted a diverse range of stakeholders, including water service providers, manufacturers, and academicians. KENAS participation highlighted the critical role that accredited laboratories play in ensuring the safety, reliability, and accuracy of water quality which is important for public health.
At the conference and exhibitions, Mr. Abraham Wekesa, the Manager, of Inspection at KENAS represented our CEO as the 1st speaker during the plenary five sub-themed; Innovations, Technologies and Market Opportunities for Improved Sanitation Governance and Service Delivery. While urging them to adopt accreditation for the water service providers' laboratories, he reiterated that accreditation is the surest way to water safety. Accredited laboratories ensuring accurate and reliable test/calibration results. These results form a basis for decision-making on whether the water is safe for use domestically, in industries or effluent is safe for discharge to the environment.
KENAS has accredited Kisumu Water & Sanitation Company Limited - Calibration Lab (calibration of water meters), Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company Limited – Chemistry & Microbiology Laboratories, Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company Limited – Microbiology Laboratory and Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Limited – Chemistry Lab. The benefits of accreditation include providing assurance of reliable tests, consistency in quality, and above all ensuring public confidence.
Testing and calibration lab accreditation is based on an international standard, ISO/IEC 17025 which is globally recognized and respected as a benchmark for laboratory competence and quality. Accreditation is a formal process that validates a laboratory's competence to perform specific testing and calibration activities. Accreditation bodies use this international standard to assess the ability of a laboratory’s ability to produce precise, accurate test and calibration results, including technical competence of personnel, validity, and appropriateness of test/calibration methods, suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test equipment, and quality assurance of test and calibration data.
The accreditation process rigorously evaluates the technical competence of a laboratory. This includes assessing the qualifications and expertise of the laboratory staff, the adequacy and maintenance of the laboratory’s equipment, and the laboratory's ability to produce accurate and precise test results. Technical competence is vital for maintaining high standards in water testing. Accredited laboratories inspire confidence in their clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. This is particularly important for water quality testing, where the results directly impact public health and safety.
