Bungoma Assembly becomes first to earn ISO certification

By Chris Mahandara (KNA)

The County Assembly of Bungoma has become the first county assembly in Kenya to attain ISO 9001:2015 certification.

The achievement is expected to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in legislative operations.

The certification, awarded by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), recognises the assembly’s successful implementation of internationally recognised quality management systems aimed at improving service delivery, institutional performance and continuous improvement.

Speaking during the certification ceremony, KEBS Director General Esther Ngari said the achievement demonstrated the assembly’s commitment to embedding quality management standards in its operations and set a benchmark for other county legislatures across the country.

Ngari noted that the assembly’s core functions, including legislation, oversight, representation, public participation and records management, require robust systems to guarantee efficiency, transparency and accountability.

“At its heart, a quality management system is about ensuring that an organisation has clear and effective processes, understands the needs of those it serves, monitors its performance and continually improves the way it works,” she said.

She, however, cautioned against viewing the certification as an end in itself, stressing that its true value would be measured by the improvements it delivers in day-to-day operations and public service.

“The real value of a quality management system is realised when the systems become part of the institution’s everyday culture and continue to deliver measurable improvements over time,” she added.

Ngari encouraged the assembly to explore other internationally recognised standards, including ISO 27001 on information security management, ISO 45001 on occupational health and safety, and ISO 14001 on environmental management, where applicable.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka hailed the certification as a significant milestone in strengthening governance and institutional performance.

“The real test of ISO 9001:2015 will not be the certificate we receive today. The real test will be whether the systems and standards we have established continue to improve the experience of the ordinary citizens,” Lusaka said.

The governor challenged the assembly to ensure the certification translates into improved public participation, responsive legislation, timely access to information and more effective oversight of public resources.

He emphasised that residents expect tangible results in key sectors such as healthcare, roads, agriculture, water, education and employment, and urged the assembly to remain focused on delivering meaningful outcomes.

“Let quality become a habit. Let accountability become a way of life. Let transparency become standard practice, and let the citizens remain at the centre of everything that we do,” he said.

County Assembly Speaker Emmanuel Situma described the certification as proof that county legislatures can establish and sustain management systems that meet international standards.

He credited the County Assembly Service Board, management and staff for successfully implementing the quality management framework through extensive training, documentation, audits and corrective actions.