The banned bale: What mitumba traders need to know about KEBS inspection rules

A single prohibited item in a bale of mitumba could leave traders counting losses, after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) intercepted a consignment of imported second-hand clothes containing banned undergarments.The interception, made during an inspection on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, comes as the agency maintains a 100 per cent inspection regime for all imported used clothing and footwear, requiring every consignment to meet the applicable standards before clearance.