The Hon, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. William Ruto, EGH, MP

SPEECH BY MR. JOEL M. KIOKO, AG. MANAGING DIRECTOR KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS DURING THE PRESENTATION OF ISO 9000:2008 CERTIFICATE TO THE KENYA SUGAR RESEARCH FOUNDATION AT KESREF HEADQUARTERS, KIBOS, KISUMU ON 30TH OCTOBER 2009 AT 9.00 A.M.

The Hon, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. William Ruto, EGH, MP, Ag. Chairman, Mrs.Viginia Mathenge, KESREF Director, G.E. Okwach, PhD, The Board, Management and staff of Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am delighted to be with you today as you celebrate with your colleagues the achievement of ISO 9001: 2008 quality management systems certification which has become the central tool used for modern good business practice.

1 On behalf of KEBS management, staff and on my own behalf, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the entire KESREF management and staff for this noble achievement.

We applaud your record as you have continued to steer your mandate, which is “the development and dissemination of technology and information needed for increased productivity, profitability and sustainability of the sugar industry in Kenya.”

We are pleased to note with appreciation that you have joined other organizations in the sugar sub-sector that have been certified to this standard.

Ladies and Gentlemen; As you are aware, standardization in products, processes and management systems leads to sustainable development and trade facilitation through the promotion of safety, quality, health and environmental protection. Standards also enable markets to operate effectively, increase competitiveness and provide opportunities for technology transfer and trade.

For business partners like KESREF, standards will serve as a factor for strategic decision making. It will also serve as a factor for innovation and developing products by transfer of knowledge to the sugar industry stake holders.

2 It is acknowledged that this country needs institutions such as KESREF to come up with solutions to the sugar industry on best methods/practices to be adopted to improve productivity.

It is encouraging to note that KESREF has put the necessary structures and frameworks in place to improve technology development and innovation transfer.

In the current global setting, competitiveness is intrinsic and must be built into societal goals for a country to achieve sustainable and meaningful development. In this regard, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) established a National Quality Institute (NQI) as a natural progression towards realization of the practical application of standards as in global markets. I urge you to partner with us to promote a culture of quality in our society as standards and knowledge are complimentary and supplementary for sustainable development.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Standards are a powerful tool for business, supporting innovation and increasing productivity. Effective standardization processes promote competitive advantage and profitability and enables business to take a central role in shaping the market itself.

3 The current global market trend set up requires organizations to produce quality products/services that meet customers’ requirements at all times. Consumers are becoming more informed about their choices thus the need for institutions/organizations to re-position themselves by acquiring ISO 9001:2008 certification.

As I conclude, I wish to assure all Kenyans that KEBS is ready to partner and support the growth of a quality conscious industry by providing standards that facilitate trade as well as offering training and attachments.

Finally, I wish to affirm here to all Kenyans that KESREF has met all the necessary requirements of ISO 9001:2008 quality management systems standard. It is now my pleasure to declare that they truly deserve to be presented with ISO 9001:2008 certification.

Once again on behalf of KEBS and on my behalf, I wish to congratulate Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KASREF) for this great achievement. Thank you.