KEBS urges institutions to integrate systems, modernise auditing
Ngari, speaking to representatives from government agencies, private companies, and quality assurance professionals, said the conference offers a critical forum for shaping standards and governance in the country.
Institutions across the country have been urged to adopt integrated systems and strategic auditing practices to strengthen performance and boost the nation’s competitiveness, officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) said.
The call came during KEBS’ 6th Annual Management Representatives and Auditors Conference in Mombasa. KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari highlighted the need for organisations to move beyond separate quality processes, advocating for a combined approach that brings together governance, risk management, safety, environmental management, and information security.
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Ngari, speaking to representatives from government agencies, private companies, and quality assurance professionals, said the conference offers a critical forum for shaping standards and governance in the country.
“Quality is no longer just a technical requirement; it is central to leadership and overall institutional governance,” she said, noting that previous conferences have gradually shifted focus from awareness-raising to sustaining organisational excellence in dynamic environments.
This year’s theme, Synergy in Systems Coordinating for Excellence, Auditing for Impact, emphasises the importance of aligning all operational systems to work cohesively, rather than in isolation.
Ngari added that achieving excellence today depends on the interoperability of different institutional systems, not simply on individual departmental outputs.
She stressed that processes covering quality management, environmental safeguards, safety, governance, and cybersecurity must function as a coordinated network to deliver lasting results.
“Synergy is more than a slogan; it is a principle of good governance. Exceptional outcomes emerge when leadership, compliance, and operational systems communicate effectively,” Ngari said.
Highlighting practical examples, Ngari pointed to Kabarak University, which in 2025 received multiple awards, including the East African Regional Quality Awards Overall Company of the Year and the Kenya Quality Awards National Champions Award. She said these accolades demonstrate the impact of strategically integrated standards.
Ngari also urged auditors to rethink their approach, moving from routine checklist assessments to audits that provide actionable insights, improve systems, and guide management decisions.
“Auditing should identify systemic gaps, encourage cross-departmental collaboration, and support risk management, rather than merely enforcing compliance,” she explained.
Linking strong systems to national development, Ngari said that both public and private institutions must view quality as a strategic investment to achieve Kenya’s economic goals.
She challenged the delegates to prioritise coordinated systems and audits that generate meaningful improvements. “Quality is not what we do when the auditor arrives; it is reflected in our daily actions,” she said.
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