Kebs retains services of delisted Japanese car inspection firm

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has said it will retain the services of a Japanese motor vehicle inspection firm even after its Tokyo-based peer association struck it off its list of members on claims of poor performance.

Kebs managing director Charles Ongwae said the Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ) will continue to inspect vehicles at the Port of Mombasa as per the terms of its contract.

The firm has been delisted by the Japan Harbor Transportation Association (JHTA) which comprises port and terminal operators and major Japanese shipping lines.

“The QISJ has confirmed to Kebs that the decision by JHTA to delist them does not affect their roadworthiness inspection for Kenya and other countries that have contracted them. They will continue to carry out radiation inspections for vehicles destined for Kenya as provided for in the inspection contract with Kebs,” Mr Ongwae said.

Kenya imports more than 7,000 units of vehicles every month, 80 per cent of them from Japan. This year alone, Mr Ongwae said, the OISJ has netted 19 vehicles that were contaminated with radioactive material.

“So far this year as a result of QISJ’s inspection, 19 vehicles that were contaminated with radioactive materials, have been rejected. QISJ is accredited to ISO 17020:2012 by the Japan Accreditation Board, demonstrating their professional and reliable inspection methods,” Mr Ongwae said.

Due to serious and harmful impact of radiation, the Kenya Radiation Protection Board (KRPB) independently carries out 100 per cent inspection for radiation of all vehicles imported into the country.

“The inspection takes place in the ship before offloading. So far, all units inspected by QISJ have been found compliant by the Radiation Protection Board,” Mr Ongwae further said.

READ: Kebs extends motor car inspection contracts

Kenya stepped up inspection of imported vehicles for high levels of radiation following Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant incident of March 2011.

QISJ won a three-year contract by Kebs to inspect vehicles entering the Kenyan market. The award was however dogged by controversy after losing bidders, including Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (Jevic) and East African Automobile Services (EAAS) claimed unfairness.

The two raised their objections to the tender through the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board which halted the signing of the tender as the matter was determined. At the review board, the firms accused each other of forgery during the tendering process.

Kebs and KRBP have previously also been involved in a turf war over the screening of imported second-hand cars from Japan.

The dispute followed assertion by the radiation agency that its mandate was to ensure public safety.

Kebs is established under the Standard Act and falls under the Industrialisation ministry while the KRPB is a product of the Radiation Protection Act under the Public Health and Sanitation ministry.