Kenya Marks World Metrology Day with Focus on Precision in Healthcare

Left- right: KEBS MD Esther Ngari, PS for Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana, African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Secretary General Dr. Hermogène Nsengimanaand National Standards Council Chairman Dr. Chris Wamalwa cuts a cake to commemorate World Metrology Day hosted by KEBS.

Kenya joined the global community in commemorating World Metrology Day, an annual celebration recognizing the vital role of measurement science metrology in everyday life, economic development, and public health.

This year’s celebration marked 150 years since the signing of the Metre Convention, under the global theme, “Measurements for All Times, For All People.” Locally, the focus was placed on healthcare, under the theme Precision in Healthcare: The Role of Medical Calibration, highlighting the life-saving importance of accurate measurements in medical settings.

Speaking during the national event held in Nairobi, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Esther Ngari underscored the central role of metrology in fostering trust. “From the gram of sugar in your tea to the dose of medicine in a hospital, our entire way of life relies on one truth: that the measurements we depend on are correct,” she stated.

KEBS has been instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of measurements through its calibration services, which verify and adjust equipment such as thermometers, infusion pumps, and weighing scales to meet international standards.

Ngari noted that the agency is expanding its reach by setting up regional calibration laboratories to serve both urban and rural healthcare facilities.

Highlighting government commitment, Principal Secretary for Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana described metrology as essential to protecting consumers and bolstering innovation. “A strong measurement infrastructure supports fair trade and allows Kenyan products to compete globally,” he said.

National Standards Council Chair Dr. Chris Wamalwa added that consistent measurements in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and health are key to boosting consumer confidence and export quality.

As Kenya pursues industrialization and improved healthcare, stakeholders agree that strengthening metrology systems is crucial for national development, trust in services, and global competitiveness.