Medical laboratories accredited by Kenya Accreditation Service under ISO 15189 have successfully transitioned to the updated ISO 15189:2022 standard. This achievement marks a significant milestone in enhancing the quality, reliability, and patient-centred approach of diagnostic services across Kenya.

The transition followed the roadmap shared in Circular No. 02 of 2023 – Transition Arrangements and Guidance on ISO 15189:2022 for Medical Laboratories, which outlined a three-year period based on guidance from the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). With the transition period now officially concluded, all accredited medical laboratories are required to maintain continuous compliance with the new standard.

What ISO 15189:2022 Means for Accredited Medical Laboratories

The revised standard introduces several key improvements to ensure safer and more reliable laboratory services:

• A stronger focus on clinical risk, emphasising the impact of test results on patient care.
• Integration of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) requirements into the main standard.
• Alignment with the ISO/IEC 17000 series, ensuring global consistency in conformity assessment practices.
• Clearer expectations for quality management and staff competence.

These updates bring accredited laboratories in line with current medical practices and international benchmarks for diagnostic accuracy.

Why Accreditation to ISO 15189:2022 Matters

Being accredited under ISO 15189:2022 benefits Kenya’s healthcare system and patients by:

• Ensuring accuracy and reliability of test results for diagnosis and treatment.
• Enhancing public confidence in accredited laboratories.
• Reducing risks associated with diagnostic errors.
• Supporting research collaboration, insurance partnerships, and cross-border healthcare services.

For patients, this means their samples are handled by laboratories that meet internationally recognised standards.

Celebrating the Achievement

KENAS wishes to acknowledge the dedication of all laboratories that successfully transitioned. Ms. Doris Mueni, Manager of the Medical Laboratories Scheme, expressed:

"We sincerely thank the over 100 accredited medical laboratories that have successfully transitioned to ISO 15189:2022. Your commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and competence is a major step forward for Kenya’s healthcare system. This transition strengthens the credibility of medical test results and enhances patient safety nationwide."

Accreditation Now a Legal Requirement

This milestone comes alongside national reforms under the Business Laws Amendment Act (2024), which requires all conformity assessment bodies (CABs)—including testing laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies—to be accredited.

KENAS CEO, Dr. Walter Juma Ongeti, highlights the importance of this development:

"Accreditation is now a statutory requirement for all conformity assessment bodies in Kenya. This protects consumers by ensuring that testing, inspection, and certification services meet trusted and internationally recognised standards. KENAS is ready to guide any medical laboratory on its journey to accreditation, including through our specialised training programmes."

KENAS Continues to Support Quality in Healthcare

KENAS remains committed to providing technical guidance, capacity building, and ISO 15189:2022-focused training to accredited laboratories and those seeking accreditation. Laboratories looking to strengthen their systems or start the accreditation journey are encouraged to engage with KENAS.

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) joined national efforts to restore the Mau Forest Complex during the official launch of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme held in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, and presided over by H.E. President Dr. William Ruto.

Represented by KENAS Board Chair, Mr. ngeny Biwott, the institution contributed to the livelihood component of the initiative by donating 9,700 assorted fruit tree seedlings and participating in the tree-planting exercise within the block adopted by Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei.

The Mau Forest Complex, covering over 33,000 hectares, is a critical water catchment that supports millions of livelihoods and underpins national food security. The programme, launched under the rallying call “Linda Mau, Boresha Maisha”, aims to restore degraded areas, enhance water resources, and improve community welfare.

For KENAS, participation in this initiative aligns with our broader mandate of supporting sustainable development and environmental integrity through accreditation. Accredited conformity assessment bodies — including laboratories, inspection, and certification bodies — play a vital role in ensuring that environmental conservation, agricultural productivity, and natural resource management adhere to internationally recognized standards.

By supporting this noble cause, KENAS reaffirms its commitment to Quality, Sustainability, and National Transformation — contributing to the national target of planting 15 billion trees within the next 10 years.

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in accreditation and strengthen quality infrastructure systems.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the ILAC/IAF Joint Meetings and General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together global accreditation leaders to advance mutual recognition and cooperation in conformity assessment.

KENAS was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Walter Ongeti, while UKAS was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Matt Gantley.

This milestone marks a significant step in reinforcing the long-standing relationship between KENAS and UKAS, underscoring their shared commitment to promoting confidence in accredited services, strengthening quality infrastructure, and supporting sustainable development through international partnerships.

Speaking during the signing, CS Dr. Walter Ongeti highlighted that the collaboration aligns with KENAS’s mission to ensure that Kenya’s accreditation system continues to meet international best practices, thereby enhancing trust, competitiveness, and trade facilitation.

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) celebrates Kenchic Limited, one of its accredited laboratories in Microbiology (Bacteriology), for emerging as the Exporter of the Year – Large Agroprocessor Category at the Kenya Quality Awards (KQA) 2025.

Organised by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Quality Awards recognise institutions that continue to raise the bar in quality excellence, innovation, and competitiveness across diverse sectors.

Kenchic’s achievement is a testament to the power of accreditation in driving business growth, consumer confidence, and market access. Through accredited microbiological testing, Kenchic continues to uphold the highest standards of food safety and quality, enabling it to compete effectively in both local and international markets.

KENAS was represented at the event by Ms. Lucy Namu, Chief Manager – Laboratories, who reaffirmed that accredited testing and conformity assessment underpin Kenya’s journey toward a quality-driven economy — one where trust, innovation, and compliance open doors to global trade.

As Kenya’s national accreditation body, KENAS takes pride in partnering with organisations like Kenchic that exemplify how quality and accreditation translate into tangible success stories.

Congratulations once again to Kenchic Limited for this well-deserved recognition — a shining example of “Quality You Can Trust.”

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Walter Ongeti, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC) and the Uganda National Accreditation Service (UGANAS).

The MoU was signed by Eng. Motel Al-Mezani, Director General of GAC, and Mr. Richard Musafiri, Director of UGANAS. The agreement was concluded under the Global Funded Technical Assistance Programme, which KENAS is currently implementing to support UGANAS in attaining its signatory status as an Arrangement Member of the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC).

This collaboration marks an important milestone in promoting mutual support and regional integration within Africa’s accreditation framework. It reflects the growing partnership between accreditation bodies across regions aimed at enhancing technical competence, harmonizing quality systems, and building capacity for sustainable development.

Through such initiatives, KENAS continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Africa’s quality infrastructure, enabling conformity assessment bodies to meet international standards, and supporting trade, innovation, and consumer protection across the continent

Our CEO Dr. Walter Ongeti and Ag. Chief Officer, Mr. Michael Talam, are participating in the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Joint Annual Meetings and General Assembly taking place in Bangkok, Thailand from the 15th - 24th October 2025.

As part of the programme, the KENAS delegation attended the IAF Technical Committee and the IAF Technical Committee Workshop on “Advances and Experiences on Artificial Intelligence and Conformity Assessment.”

The discussions explored how emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), are transforming conformity assessment processes globally — from testing and inspection to certification and verification.

For KENAS, this engagement strengthens institutional capacity to:
✅ Anticipate global trends shaping the quality infrastructure landscape;
✅ Integrate emerging technologies into accreditation practices; and
✅ Contribute to harmonised international standards that build trust and facilitate trade.

Participation in these global forums reinforces KENAS’s commitment to advancing Kenya’s presence in the international accreditation community, ensuring that the national accreditation system remains credible, adaptive, and future-ready.

By engaging with global peers, KENAS continues to promote innovation, trust, and collaboration — key elements in achieving sustainable growth and competitiveness through accreditation.

The Board of Directors, Management, and Staff of the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) join the nation in mourning the passing of The Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya.

A visionary leader, patriot, and champion of national unity, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, democracy, and equitable development for all Kenyans. His steadfast belief in the transformative power of quality infrastructure, standards, and innovation reflected his deep commitment to building a stronger, more competitive, and self-reliant Kenya.

As the nation reflects on his enduring legacy, KENAS honours a statesman whose courage, foresight, and service to the nation have left an indelible mark on Kenya’s history. His life’s work will continue to inspire generations to pursue excellence, uphold integrity, and contribute to the collective progress of our nation.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) joined the national celebrations hosted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), reaffirming its commitment to advancing Kenya’s quality infrastructure system. KENAS was represented by Ms. Lucy Namu, Chief Manager – Laboratories, and Ms. Felista Nyakoe, Manager – Testing Laboratories.

This celebration highlighted the critical link between standards and accreditation in ensuring quality, safety, and reliability across industries.

While standards define what quality should look like, accreditation confirms who is competent to assess and verify that those standards are consistently met. Together, they form the foundation of a trusted national quality infrastructure (NQI) that protects consumers, supports innovation, and promotes sustainable development.

Through accreditation, KENAS ensures that testing, inspection, and certification bodies operate with integrity and technical competence. This not only upholds the credibility of national and international standards but also strengthens Kenya’s competitiveness in global trade.

As Kenya continues to embrace industrialization, environmental responsibility, and innovation-driven growth, KENAS remains steadfast in its role — ensuring that accredited conformity assessment bodies inspire confidence, enable market access, and contribute to a more resilient, quality-driven economy.

Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) has achieved yet another milestone in strengthening good governance and accountability by publishing its Annual Procurement Plan on the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) Kenya platform.

This strategic move reflects KENAS’s unwavering commitment to transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in public procurement, in full compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (2015) and the Government’s digital transformation agenda.

Speaking during the announcement, KENAS Board Chairman, Mr. Ngeny Biwott, lauded the milestone as a critical step toward deepening compliance and expanding access to procurement opportunities for all.

“This marks a significant step in ensuring that our procurement processes are not only compliant with the law but also open to all qualified suppliers, including youth, women, and persons with disabilities, as envisioned by our Constitution,” he said.

Echoing this commitment, KENAS CEO, Dr. Walter Ongeti, affirmed the Service’s readiness to commence procurement activities through the digital platform.

“The eGP system is a revolutionary tool that enhances efficiency, integrity, and transparency in public procurement. It aligns perfectly with H.E. the President’s directive for full implementation of electronic procurement across government,” he noted.

By publishing its plan on the eGP platform, KENAS continues to demonstrate leadership in promoting open governance, digital adoption, and institutional accountability—principles that underpin its vision of fostering trust and competence through accreditation.

As Kenya advances towards a fully digitized public service ecosystem, KENAS remains committed to ensuring that all its operations reflect the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and service excellence.

As part of the National Tree Growing Programme (Mission 15B), this year’s Mazingira Day celebrations emphasized citizen-driven environmental stewardship under the theme #TurudiPrimoTukadonateFruitTrees.

The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) joined the national exercise, led by Dr. Walter Ongeti, at Chebukaka RC Girls Primary School in Bungoma County. The tree-planting event was presided over by Dr. Juma Mukhwana, PhD, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry under the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI).

Together with staff from the State Department and other participating agencies, KENAS took part in planting fruit trees and supporting the local community through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donation of fruit seedlings and essential household items.

This initiative aligns with Kenya’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience while reinforcing the role of public institutions in promoting green growth and community empowerment.

Through such partnerships, KENAS continues to champion environmental stewardship, contributing to the government’s goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032, and nurturing a greener, more sustainable future for Kenya.

As global attention turns toward reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero targets, the importance of credible Greenhouse Gas (GHG) accreditation systems has never been greater.

This week, Mr. Michael Talam, Ag. Chief Manager, Inspection and Verification at the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), joined experts and stakeholders at a workshop organized by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), and CORSIA at Eka Hotel, Nairobi.

The workshop delved into CORSIA’s offsetting mechanisms and requirements for eligible emissions units — critical components in building strong national frameworks for GHG accreditation. These discussions are vital as Kenya continues to align with international best practices on carbon management and climate accountability.

Through active participation in such technical forums, KENAS reinforces its leadership in advancing climate-conscious accreditation, ensuring that emissions verification and validation processes meet globally recognized standards.

By fostering robust GHG accreditation frameworks, KENAS is helping to shape a transparent, trusted, and sustainable pathway toward Kenya’s low-carbon future.

When two champions of excellence meet, the results elevate an entire industry.

This week, Dr. Walter Ongeti, CEO of the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), paid a courtesy call to Mr. Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways (KQ), to explore deeper collaboration in advancing accreditation and conformity assessment within the aviation sector.

As one of the region’s most respected airlines, Kenya Airways is accredited under NDT ISO/IEC 17020, a recognition that underscores its technical competence, safety culture, and commitment to quality. The visit reaffirmed the shared vision between KENAS and KQ — to uphold world-class standards that inspire trust and fuel growth across industries.

The two leaders also discussed Kenya Airways’ pivotal role in the upcoming 1st International Accreditation Conference (IAC 2025) — a premier event that will bring together global experts, regulators, and industry leaders to shape the future of accreditation in Africa.

Through such partnerships, KENAS continues to power Kenya’s transformation into a globally trusted hub for quality and innovation — where accredited excellence takes flight.

In line with its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) conducted a capacity-building training session to strengthen compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and its accompanying regulations.

The training, facilitated by Mr. Linus Muriithi and Mr. David Odhiambo from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), focused on key aspects of effective procurement management — including procurement planning, contract administration, ethical standards, risk management, and emerging trends in public procurement.

Participants gained valuable insights into best practices that ensure efficient use of public resources and alignment with national laws and policies governing procurement and asset management.

This initiative underscores KENAS’s dedication to continuous learning and institutional excellence, as well as its resolve to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and compliance in all its operations.

A stronger Kenya begins with stronger standards.

The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) joined key industry stakeholders for a Breakfast Meeting hosted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to discuss the revised Standards Bill, 2025 — a pivotal step in modernizing the country’s quality infrastructure framework.

The engagement provided a platform to reflect on the proposed amendments and their implications for Kenya’s standards, quality, and accreditation ecosystem.

Representing KENAS, Dr. Walter Ongeti, commended KEBS for its extensive work in developing the Bill and emphasized the need to embed accreditation as a key criterion for designating laboratories. He noted that accreditation assures competence, impartiality, and reliability — the foundation of credible conformity assessment and consumer trust.

KENAS will be submitting a comprehensive memorandum ahead of the consultation deadline, reinforcing its commitment to shaping a stronger, trusted, and globally recognized quality infrastructure that supports Kenya’s trade, industry, and innovation goals.

Behind every strong road, bridge, and national project lies a foundation of tested and trusted quality.

A delegation from the Material Testing and Research Division (MTRD), led by Eng. Daniel Wanyiri, paid a courtesy call to Dr. Walter Ongeti, Ph.D, CEO of the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), as a follow-up to recent training sessions conducted by KENAS on implementation, internal audit, risk management, and method validation.

The Division, which plays a critical role in testing and research for Kenya’s infrastructure projects, operates 17 laboratories across the country. As it now embarks on the journey toward accreditation, MTRD aims to align its operations with internationally recognized standards, ensuring the integrity and reliability of its test results.

Accreditation will not only enhance the Division’s technical competence but also strengthen quality assurance across Kenya’s infrastructure value chain, supporting safer, more durable, and sustainable public works.

Through such partnerships, KENAS continues to build trust in national infrastructure, driving the vision of a Kenya where quality underpins every development milestone.