Why Mursik, Mukombero Soon to Sell in Rabat, Johannesburg or Lagos

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Producers of _Mursik_, popular among the Kalenjin, and _Mukombero_ from Western Kenya may soon sell their products in Lagos, Rabat or Johannesburg after African countries adopted a single product certification.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) alongside other African standards bodies unanimously adopted one certification – the African Mark of Quality -that will see MSMEs from Kenya sell and export their products in all African markets without restrictions.

Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki affirmed the government’s commitment to the initiative, dubbed ‘One Certificate Working for You’, saying it would facilitate intra-Africa trade which currently stands at only 17 percent.

“The African market is fragmented into 54 regulatory silos, creating trade barriers. This burden of duplicated tests is a burden to SMEs and for the take-off of Africa in wealth creation,” he said.

The DP spoke during the 32nd African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) General Assembly in Mombasa that brought together delegates from across the continent.

Prof Kindiki said the government would provide land for the ARSO headquarters in Nairobi.

“We offer ARSO a permanent home from where they will operate. I already have an idea of where the parcel of land will be.”

National Standards Council chair Dr Chris Wamalwa said the harmonisation of standards was a blessing for local iconic products.

Speaking at the Assembly dinner on Thursday, August 27, 2026, the chair said products like Mursik and Mukombero should no longer be barred from export markets now that Africa has adopted a unified mark of quality.

“I don’t see a reason why our Mukombero and Mursik should not be sold across African markets. We are in our plan to make Kenya a Singapore dream and this is the way to go.”

He expressed optimism that Kenya would reap economic benefits from the venture.

Trade cabinet secretary Lee Kinyanjui said it was time to tear down the borders across the continent calling for dialogue to remove trade barriers.

Kenya Bureau of Standards director general Esther Ngari said the common certificate would facilitate trade and build trust among member states.

“The challenge is to make that trust. A product should not have multiple tests, a manufacturer should not have to repeatedly prove when testing is already done. A border may separate two countries but standardisation should not,” she said.

ARSO President Botsile Kebapetse said the initiative would improve trade and eliminate barriers while ARSO secretary general Dr Hermogene Nsengimana said the objective was to develop harmonised safety standards for Africa.

“I am happy to announce that more than 350 products have already been certified under one certification, we have more than 200 SMEs,” Dr Nsengimana said.

International Organisation for Standardisation secretary general Sergio Mujica said standardisation was a collective responsibility for all members.

Meanwhile, during the final day of the meeting, the ARSO executive council nominated head of public service Felix Koskei as its Africa goodwill ambassador, a decision Dr Nsengimana said was reached by the ARSO Council.

Mr Koskei accepted the designation during the dinner, promising to hit the ground running.

“I accept this as a duty to perform, it is an obligation that must be honoured. I will try to reach out to those who have been in the position before, one being former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, on how we can champion the objectives of the organisation,” he said.