The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) intends to launch a thorough investigation into Uji Power and Okra to determine their authenticity.
These products have gained popularity in Kenya in recent months, with claims that they improve consumers’ sexual wellness.
Uji Power is a powdered blend used to make porridge, whereas Okra is a vegetable whose chopped pods are soaked in water overnight, resulting in a liquid that is purportedly consumed for health and sexual benefits.
“This is intelligence that we have received and we shall embark on an investigation immediately,” Director Market Surveillance Peter Kaigwara said on Tuesday during a media forum with journalists.
A journalist’s inquiry into whether these widely distributed and used products met the required standards prompted KEBS to focus on Uji Power and Okra.
Kaigwara stated that he intends to direct his team of market surveillance officers to scrutinise the products and potentially disclose their findings to the public about their authenticity.
“My team will definitely look into this with the sole aim of establishing if they meet the standards,” he said.
While KEBS’ primary goal is to maintain quality and safety through standardisation, Geoffrey Karau, Director of Quality Assurance and Inspection, emphasised the importance of other relevant agencies addressing concerns about Uji power and Okra.
He suggested that the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEFIS) investigate Okra, and that the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board (KPPB) handle issues related to Uji power while KEBS investigates its authenticity.
Due to the limited capacity of Kenya’s only 55 enforcement officers to inspect various products on the market, Kaigwara issued a call to action, urging Kenyans to report any suspicious or counterfeit products circulating in the market.
The plea comes in the wake of the recent fake fertiliser scandal, which jeopardised the country’s food security.
“We normally act and use all manner of information and take it as intelligence,” he said.
Kaigwara cautioned about the severe consequences of substandard products in the market, which include health and safety risks, environmental pollution, and unfair competition.
He further revealed that aside from public contributions, KEBS is collaborating with a multi-agency team to curb the spread of substandard goods in the market.
