STANDARDS:
BRINGING SANITY IN
THE CONSTRUCTION
SECTOR
PRESENTATION BY MR. SAMSON OMBOK, ACTING
DIRECTOR STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE
DIVISION KEBS
DURING A WORLD ACCREDITATION DAY IN NAIROBI
ON 9TH JUNE, 2017
Vision, Mission, Motto
KEBS VISION
To be a global leader in standards based
solutions that deliver quality and
confidence
KEBS MISSION
To provide standards based solutions that
promote innovation, trade and quality life.
MOTTO
Standards for quality life
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Core Values
• Integrity – We are accountable, honest, trustworthy,
respectful and ethical in our actions. We maintain a level
of independence that assures confidence;
• Customer Focus – We listen to both our internal and
external customers and deliver an ever-increasing value
to them;
• Excellence – We relentlessly pursue success and
continuously look for new ways to improve our services
and processes;
• Sustainability – Our activities promote economic and
Social development while ensuring protection of the
environment.
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Strategic Objectives
 SO1: Enhance delivery of KEBS mandate by
improving operational efficiency by 7%
annually.
 SO2: Improve Customer Satisfaction by 2.5% by
providing SMCA solutions that support Vision
2030 and SDGs.
 SO3: Attain international recognition and
sustain leadership in SMCA through institutional
strengthening and alignment to international
best practices.
 SO4: Provide SMCA solutions that promote
innovation.
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What is KEBS Role
KEBS is mandated to provide standardization, metrology
and conformity assessment services through: Promotion of standardization in commerce and industry
 Provision of testing and calibration facilities
 Product and system certification
 Undertaking educational work in standardization and
practical application of standards
 Maintenance and dissemination of International System
of Units (SI) of measurements
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Why Standardization?
Standards are used to achieve five key objectives;
 Facilitate trade;
 Protect consumer from harmful and poor quality
goods;
 Protect our environment;
 Promote innovation and competitiveness;
 Encourage regional integration.
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STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT &
HARMONIZATION
 KEBS has published a total of 8646 Kenya Standards to date and
these include a series of Standards on construction materials and
related infrastructure standards associated with buildings, roads
and bridges.
 To facilitate free movement of goods within the EAC region as
envisaged in the EAC treaty and EAC common market protocol,
Kenya has participated in the Harmonization of a total 1216 East
African Standards. 212 Harmonized Standards which include cement
standards were recently declared and are awaiting gazettement.
 Kenya also participates in international Standardization activities to
ensure that published international Standards take into account
national interest and ensuring global market access for products.
This is in harmony with our obligation under the WTO/TBT
agreement which requires participation in International
Standardization activities and using International Standards.
STAGES OF THE DEVELOPMENT
OF KENYA STANDARDS
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PUBLICATION
APPROVAL
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BALLOTING
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PUBLIC REVIEW
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COMMITTEE
PROPOSAL
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STRUCTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT
OF KENYA STANDARDS
Decision making
Gazettement
Standards
Approval
Committee
TTechnical
Committee
Standards
Project
Committee
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STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
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KEBS has Published a three year National Standardization Plan(NSP) for 2016-2019 under
ISO Technical Support Program for developing Countries meant to strengthen the strategic
capabilities of National Standards Bodies(NSBs). The document is available in KEBS
Website through the following link
https://www.kebs.org/about/files/download.php?file=National_Standardization_Plan_201
6-2019_v1.pdf
The plan provides a framework for developing Standards whose implementation would:
Would have the greatest positive National economic impact in terms of enabling trade
and economic development (Strengthen the GDP, move Kenya’s export engines and
National Development Priorities identified in Kenya Vision 2030 Second medium term Plan
and Industrial Transformation Program for 2015-2025), and would likely receive strong
industry and business support;
Would have a visible and positive, impact on citizens (Greatest Social good in terms of
people’s daily lives, i.e Environmental protection, health and Safety);
Would likely receive strong support by Industry, business and the public (in line with
Stakeholder engagement Principle).
The plan is under annual review and we invite feedback from all stakeholders on any topics
which may have been left out. A template for mailing feedback on the plan is available in
KEBS website(www.kebs.org ) and it is labelled us” Annual review of National
Standardization plan. Stakeholders have up to 1st July 2017 to mail their feedback.
Framework for Ensuring Sustainable
Socio-Economic Sanity
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On 25th September 2015, and as part of a new sustainable development agenda,
countries adopted a set of 17 goals, namely Agenda 2030 sustainable development
goals(SDGs). The SDGs provide a viable global framework for ensuring Socio-economic
sanity in the priority sectors identified under social and economic pillar of Kenya Vision
2030 Medium term plan. KEBS Strategic Plan for 2017-2022 has in this regard been aligned
with the SDGs.
Each of the 17 SDGs listed in table 1 below has specific targets to be achieved over the
next 15 years. The goals are intended to ensure an End to Hunger, Protection of the
Planet and Prosperity for all and these sums up the five objectives of Standardization
highlighted above into three Key Sanity Indicators. The SDGs are anchored on the
following key principles:
Environmental Sustainability;
Recycling and management of wastes;
Green Economy;
Protection of Natural capital namely water, wildlife, soil and land;
Decent life for all.
Considering the overarching focus of the SDGs agenda on people and the environment,
Standards can play a crucial role in its implementation by promoting sustainable practices,
efficiency and quality.
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Table 1: Summary of UN Agenda 2030
Sustainable Development Goals
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ROLE OF STANDARDS IN BRINGING
SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION
SECTOR
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All Kenya Standards can be mapped to at least 15 of the 17 SDGs and they support sustainability of
construction as a business through promotion of:
Innovation;
Technology Transfer;
Economic growth;
Societal equity;
Environmental integrity.
Key inputs of the Construction Sector include the following among others:
Human labour(Skilled and Semi-Skilled) and financial resources;
Construction materials and equipment;
Energy;
Water;
Land.
Key outputs of the Construction Sector include the following among others :
Buildings and associated facilities;
Roads and associated facilities;
Railway lines and associated facilities;
Bridges and associated facilities;
Airport runways and associated facilities.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
 SDG 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere
 Access to clean water supply, reliable electric power and markets is often the first step in overcoming
poverty. Standards facilitate access to new technologies, markets and basic services such as electricity
and water supply. People with a good quality of life are likely to be efficient and effective in discharging
their duties. Standards promote quality life.
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Energy and Water are critical inputs for the construction sector, industries, entrepreneurs and
farmers. Access to new technologies enhance competiveness of business leading to economic growth
and job creation and better pay for workers. KEBS has published a number of standards covering
energy, water, manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors among many priority sectors identified in
Kenya industrial transformation program for 2015-2025. The Kenya Standards can be accessed
through the Standard online catalogue and Standards online webstore in KEBS website at
(www.kebs.org).
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Construction Business requires workers with a good quality life to ensure sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 2 End Hunger, achieve food Security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable
agriculture
It is estimated that today, more than 1/3 of food produced is not eaten. Food waste is the third largest
emitter of greenhouse gases which are harmful to the environment. Through the strengthening of the
cold chain post-harvest and slaughter, food waste and greenhouse gas emissions could be halved to
directly help reduce world hunger.
 Standards provide the foundation for domestic and industrial cooling systems and helps improve
agricultural productivity, for example through irrigation technologies and pumps. Irrigation and cooling
systems are critical for the agriculture, dairy, meat and many other sectors. Standards also provide a
basis for food safety management, product quality and traceability. Published Standards include Food
safety management, Agricultural irrigation equipment, Equipment for sowing and planting, Equipment
for working the soil, Machinery for agriculture, Infant formula and adult nutritionals and Food and feed
products.
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Construction Business requires hunger-free workforce to ensure productivity and sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
 SDG 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
 The cooling and proper conservation of medicines and vaccines is the first step
towards better health. Standards provides the technical foundation for all essential
medical devices that are used in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment for
people.
 Standards provide the technical foundation for supporting healthcare efficiency,
surgical instruments, quality of medical devices and safe medical practices and
KEBS has published a number of Standards in this regard. Published Standards
include among others Sterilization of health care products, Implants for surgery,
Point-of-care medical device communication and Framework for integrated
community-based life-long health and care services for aged societies.
 Construction Business requires healthy workforce to ensure sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 4 Ensure inclusive and Equitable quality Education and promote lifelong Learning opportunities
for all
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A skilled workforce is a key input for any business. Standards provide the technical foundation for
supporting quality of education services, best education practices and knowledge transfer with a given
field. Countries which have progressed like Korea have embraced Standardization in the Education
curriculum and Kenya can benchmark accordingly with a view entrenching a culture of quality. KEBS
also provides training and awareness on published standards as part its activities.
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Standards also provide the technical foundation for much of the hardware that supports education,
including communication technology, computers, video, radio, laboratory apparatus/chemicals and
learning materials . Universities currently teach building codes based on established Standards.
Published Standards include among many others Academic Quality Assurance Standards(parts 1 to 10)
and building codes(Eurocodes) standards.
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Construction Business requires a well trained skilled workforce to ensure sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
 SDG 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of Water and Sanitation for all
 Construction requires water both at the input and output stages. Supplying water requires a large
number of water devices, which all rely on standards. Pumps extract water, transport it from wells
through pipelines to purification, filtration and desalination systems. Even in the simplest water
treatment plants, pumps, valves and scrapers are needed. More modern systems also include a myriad
of sensors that control the length of flow, for example, on taps, toilets or irrigation systems all which
relay on Standards.
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Standards provide the technical foundation for supporting water supply services, efficient irrigation
services, waste water re-use and water footprint. Published Standards include Drinking water
specifications, Water footprint, Service activities relating to drinking water supply and wastewater
systems, Drinking water distribution networks, Crisis management of water utilities, Water efficiency
management systems and Non-sewered sanitation systems – General safety and performance
requirements for design and testing
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Construction Business requires sufficient water supply and adequate sanitation to ensure sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
 SDG 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern Energy for all
 Standards enables all forms of power generation –on-grid and off-grid use of good quality renewable
solar, wind, marine and hydro energy generation. Standards provide the technical foundation for rural
electrification and safer, more reliable, more efficient devices, bringing sustainable electricity and light
to cities and economies.
 Standards provide the methodologies, processes and specifications that are needed to compare and
verify Energy Efficiency claims and they enable the broad roll out and technology transfer of more
energy efficient technologies. They can be also used to build new energy systems or upgrade and
expand existing energy infrastructure. With the help of Standards cost can be reduced and long-term
investment viability is ensured because products and spare parts can be bought anywhere in the world.
Standards provide the technical foundation for supporting Energy management, Energy efficiency of
buildings, smart grids and renewable energy technologies and KEBS has published a number of
Standards in this regard. Published Standards include Energy management systems, Solar energy, Solar
energy -- Water heating systems, Sustainability criteria for bioenergy, Energy savings and Calculation
methods for energy savings
 Construction Business requires sustainable energy as to ensure sustainability.
SUMMARY ON THE ROLE OF STANDARDS IN
SUPPORTING IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
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SDG 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment and decent work for all
 Standards help in the implementation and upgrade of technology solutions with a view of improving
production efficiency and competiveness of products. Standards promote economic growth by
facilitating innovation, industrialization and job creation. KEBS has in this regard published a number of
standards and also prioritized in the National Standardization plan for 2016-2019, sectors identified in
Kenya’s industrial transformation program for 2015-2025, to ensure that standardization supports
business and economic growth.
 Access of local, regional and international markets require Standards. Exports share is major economic
contributor for any country. Kenya has in this regard participated in harmonization of regional and
international Standardization activities. Published standards include Cement, steel, Steel and Steel
products among many others.
 Safety Standards increase the safety of construction tools and of the workers who use them. They also
provide a framework for assessing occupational health and safety of workers.
Construction Business requires growth to ensure sustainability.
SUMMARY ON THE ROLE OF STANDARDS IN
SUPPORTING IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS
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SDG 9 Build Resilient Infrastructure, promote inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and foster
innovation
Standards support the development of quality infrastructure and a better quality and safer products.
Standards help improve the resilience and faster restoration of infrastructure and basic services in the
face of disasters such as earthquakes. Standards facilitate Fulfilment of accessibility and usability of built
environment needs of persons living with disability(PWDs) as envisaged in article 52-57 of the
constitution.
Business require resilient infrastructure to access markets.
Standards promote innovation, technology transfer and industrialization. Standards provide a technical
framework for supporting innovation management, sustainable buildings, advanced technologies and
usability and accessibility. Published Standards include among others, Design of Structures for
earthquake resistance, Code of practice for General concrete works, Smart community infrastructures -Best practice guidelines for transportation, Building construction -- Accessibility and usability of the built
environment, Innovation management system, code of practice for lighting road motorways, code of
practice for lighting bridges and elevated roads motorways and ribbed steel bars for reinforcement of
concrete.
Construction Business requires resilient infrastructure and innovation to ensure sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
 SDG 10 Adoption of Social Protection policies to progressively achieve greater equality
 Standards support the development and implementation of public policy meant to
progressively achieve greater equality. Standards provide a framework for developing and
implementing public policies, on social responsibility, consumer protection, breaking
barriers to trade and occupational health and safety.
 KEBS is in this regard working very closely with various Government lead agencies to ensure
that Standards form the basis of their technical regulations and policies.
 Such published Standards include among others Several standards covering building and
construction sector, guidance on social responsibility, sustainable procurement, Anti-bribery
management systems, Occupational Health and safety management systems and framework
for managing sustainable development in business districts.
Construction Business requires require social protection policies linked to Standards to
ensure sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
 SDG 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and Sustainable
 Standards provide a technical framework for developing housing units, upgrading slums
and provision of basic services. Standards also support provision of sustainable transport
system, hardware for communication or data collection and a framework for promoting
road safety.
 Standards provide a technical framework for developing and implementing city
indicators(e.g indicators for services & quality of life), smart community infrastructure,
intelligent transport systems and disaster management systems. Such published Standards
include sustainable development of communities management systems, guide to the
strategies of establishing smart cities and communities, Sustainable development of
communities -- Indicators for city services and quality of life and Intelligent Transport
Systems.
 Construction Business requires resilient cities and human settlements to ensure
sustainability.
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and Production Patterns
Standards provide the technical foundation for many types of harvesting, storage, production and
cooling technologies aimed at reducing food loses along production and supply chains(including post
harvest losses) and food waste at retail and consumer levels. Standards all provide a framework for
sustainable management and use of Natural resources such as Water.
Standards also helps in environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their
life cycle. Standards help in reducing waste generation by providing technical foundation for recycling
and reuse. Published Standards include Code of practice for on-site treatment of solid wastes from
buildings, guidelines for recovery and recycling of plastic wastes, packaging and the environment -materials recycling and packaging, the environment ---organic recycling and reuse of treated waste
water for irrigation.
ICT Standards help business to adopt sustainable practices in their reporting cycle. KEBS implements a
print on demand policy and all Kenya Standards are available online for purchase in the Standards
webstore in KEBS website. An online Standards catalogue is also available in KEBS website.
Construction Business requires sustainable consumption and production patters to ensure
sustainability
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
 The use of Standards help strengthen disaster resilience of infrastructures and cities. The use
of Standards help mitigate disaster risks and accelerate disaster recovery, reducing overall
disaster impact. Standards also provide relevant solid technical foundation to make new,
sustainable energy solutions and help reduce global warming.
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Standards provide a technical framework for Environmental management, Environmental
labels and declarations, climate actions and quantifying green house gases emissions.
Published standards in this regard include Environmental management systems, Life cycle
assessment, Greenhouse gases, Carbon footprint of products, Framework and principles for
methodologies on climate actions and Guidelines for addressing sustainability in standards.
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Construction Business must implement actions to combat climate change to ensure
sustainability
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development
 Standards provide a technical framework for controlling pollution of life below water,
utilizing offshore wind energy in ships, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, on board
waste management and marine environment protection.
 Published standards in this regard include Effluents tolerance limits---Effluents discharged
into surface water, Ships and marine technology -- Offshore wind energy, Marine
environment protection, Environmental monitoring of the impacts from marine finfish farms
and General requirements for offshore structures.
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Construction Business has to conserve life below the oceans, seas and marine resources to
ensure sustainability
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 15 protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification , and halt the reverse land
degradation and halt biodiversity loss
 Standards provide a technical framework for Environmental product evaluation, assessing
soil quality, sustainable forest management, sustainable machinery for agriculture and
forestry. Land is a critical resource for construction and it is should thus be used in a
sustainable manner to ensure sanity.
 Standards provide a framework for the protection of natural habitats, halting the loss of
biodervisity and thereby preventing the extinction of threatened species. Published
standards in this regard include , Sustainability management of natural protected areas--Code of practice, Machinery for agriculture, Combating land degradation and desertification
and Machinery for forestry -- General safety requirements
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Construction Business has to conserve life on land to ensure sustainability
BRINGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SANITY IN THE
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR THROUGH STANDARDS &
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs AGENDA 2030
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SDG 16 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development
 International Standards contain a vast amount of technical knowledge, providing business with a
sustainable means to design and build better products that can be exported. When business use
International Standards, they are able to participate in global value chains and access more markets
faster and more efficiently.
 International Standards support the development and use of environmentally sound
technologies. All Kenya Standards are benchmarked with international Standard in compliance with the
WTO/TBT Code of Good practice for preparation, application and adoption of Standards
 The National Standards development framework through regional and global international
Standardization forums fosters multi stakeholder partnerships that share knowledge and expertise,
supporting the achievement of the SDGs and by extension ensuring socio-economic Sanity.
Business has to participate in regional and international standardization forums to ensure sustainability
Thank you and God Bless
Standards for Quality Life
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KEBS CONTACTS:
email on: [email protected]
Head Office: KEBS Centre, Popo Road, off Mombasa
Road
P.O. Box 54974 - 00200, Nairobi
Tel: (+254 0 20) 6948 000, Toll free line 0800221350
Cell: 0722 202 137/8; 07334 600 471/2
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