KEPHIS, TMA, and UK Government Commission Modern Laboratory Equipment to Boost Kenya’s Agricultural Exports and Competitiveness

Today 17th September 2025 Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and supported by the Government of the United Kingdom through the Regional Economic Development for Investment and Trade (REDIT) Programme, has commissioned modern laboratory equipment to strengthen agricultural testing capacity and boost export competitivenes. 

The state-of-the-art laboratory equipment were officially commissioned by Mr. Daniel Wilcox (Economic Counsellor & Head of Prosperity and Climate, British High Commission), Prof. Theophilus Mutui(KEPHIS) MD ,Ms. Lilian Mwai (Kenya Country Director, TradeMark Africa), Ms. Anne Nalo (Country Economist, British High Commission), Dr. Andrew Edewa (Director Standards and SPS Measures, TradeMark Africa), Mr. Clement Tulezi (Kenya Flower Council), Mr. Hosea Machuki (FPEAK), and other distinguished guests.

The modern equipment, made possible through the support of the UK Government and TradeMark Africa under the REDIT Programme, will improve sample analysis throughput by 60%and reduce turnaround time by 50% facilitating faster clearance of horticultural commodities for export and providing importing markets with confidence in the safety of Kenyan produce.

This milestone not only safeguards plant health and assures food safety but also boosts the competitiveness of Kenyan horticultural exports in the UK, EU, and beyond — securing livelihoods for farmers and contributing to a food-secure nation.