The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued a warning over the importation and use of fake electrical extension sockets, citing the risk of electrocution and fire.

KEBS sounded the alarm after the institution seized over 24,000 substandard extension sockets worth Ksh2.5 million at the Port of Mombasa.

The Bureau intercepted a consignment of fake extension sockets that were destined for the Kenyan market, seizing a 16-metric-tonne container that had arrived from China.

While confirming the seizure, KEBS noted that the sockets were found to violate safety standards, revealing that the extensions lacked critical safety features and posed serious risks of electrocution and fire.

The entrance to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) headquarters in Nairobi

Photo

KEBS

After nabbing the counterfeit products, KEBS noted that the consignment was handed over to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for reshipment or destruction, at the importer’s expense.

With fake extension sockets, the most common and most deadly danger is fire. Fires frequently occur because these extensions use thinner, lower-grade copper wire, or even copper-coated aluminium, than what is specified. This smaller gauge wire cannot safely carry the electrical current it is intended to handle.

Other factors that can lead to fire include overheating, poor insulation, flimsy sockets and plugs, and a lack of overload protection.

Aside from fires, fake extensions can also lead to electrocution due to poor insulation that leads to exposed wires, poor grounding, and loose connections.

The counterfeit extensions can also cause damage to appliances and electronics. This may result from voltage fluctuations due to substandard wiring or even overloading, which can cause other devices to malfunction.

Despite the risks, fake extensions remain prevalent in Kenya due to their low cost, the presence of informal markets, a lack of awareness among customers who do not know how to identify genuine products, and their entry through uncontrolled borders.

At the same time, the Bureau cautioned importers against bringing fake goods into the country, warning of dire consequences if they were caught flouting the rules.

“What I want to tell any importer bringing products into the country is that we will not allow any substandard product into the country. Therefore, we are here to protect all our consumers, for all the products getting into the country,” warned Esther Ngari, Managing Director at KEBS.

“We will not allow anything that does not meet the Kenyan standard. Whether you have it inspected outside the country or bring it here for destination inspection, we are very keen, especially with electrical products getting into the country,” she further averred.

Containers pictured the port of Mombasa

Google photo: Container news