Newly appointed Chairman of the National Standards Council (NSC) at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Mr Peter Munyiri, has outlined his vision, aligning with the organisation’s aspiration to become a global leader in standards-based solutions for trade and sustainable development.
President William Ruto appointed Mr Munyiri, an economist and career banker, via a Kenya Gazette notice. Mr Munyiri unsuccessfully vied for the Nyeri governor seat in the August 2022 elections and emerged fourth.
Mr Munyiri has a rich legacy as the former Group CEO of Family Bank where he realized a turnaround for the bank. A career banker who has worked for virtually all the big banks in Kenya, he left Family Bank in June 2016, marking the end of a five-year tenure at the lender.
Mr Munyiri is also the former Deputy Group CEO of KCB, and a general manager of Cooperative Bank of Kenya. He has also worked with Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Bank of Kenya (now Absa Bank).
Mr Munyiri’s appointment took effect on 23rd June, revoking the the contract of Jeremiah Kinyua, a few days after the High Court froze his more than 19 properties worth about Ksh278 million. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission suspects the wealth was acquired through bribes while he worked at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Mr Kinyua was appointed by Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria as the chairperson of the NSC, the policy-setting organ for the Kenya Bureau of Standards, which is at the centre of a sugar scandal, in January.
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In his address, Mr Munyiri underscored KEBS’s critical role in fostering economic growth and sustainability in Kenya. His Transformative Agenda advocates stringent adherence to high standards across all operations.
“This agenda aims to create an environment that not only facilitates trade but also fosters sustainable development. Together, we will propel KEBS into a world-class organization delivering unparalleled value to its stakeholders and the nation,” he affirmed.
Mr Munyiri highlighted how this transformative agenda would enhance operational efficiency, elevate service delivery and foster innovation. Emphasizing that commitment to global standards transcends compliance, he noted it as a strategy to fortify the competitiveness of Kenyan goods and services in the international market.
Standards form the bedrock of sustainability and economic prosperity in an era of advancing technology.
“In an era characterized by rapidly advancing technology and shifting market dynamics, standards form the bedrock of sustainability and economic prosperity. Our aim is to not just meet but exceed these standards, but also ensuring Kenya remains competitive and contributes significantly to its development,” he added.
In the coming weeks, Mr Munyiri plans to launch several strategic initiatives that align with this transformative agenda to bolster its role in molding trade and sustainable development practices in Kenya.
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Responding Mr Munyiri’s vision, Mrs Esther Ngari, the Acting Managing Director and Council Secretary, expressed her confidence in his leadership.
“Peter brings a wealth of experience and a zeal for transformation. His leadership comes at a crucial moment for us and promises to navigate KEBS deftly through this transformative journey,” Mrs Ngari said. “I see us progressing towards a future where standards become the driving force behind trade and sustainable development in Kenya.”
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