The Bungoma County Assembly has achieved a significant milestone by securing ISO 9001:2015 certification, becoming the first county assembly in Kenya to meet the international quality-management standard. This achievement follows a demanding audit process that assessed the assembly's institutional systems and operational standards. The certification was presented by Kenya Bureau of Standards chief executive Esther Ngari at the assembly premises.
Esther Ngari explained that ISO 9001:2015 provides a framework for public bodies to define clear procedures, monitor performance, identify weaknesses, and pursue continual improvement. She emphasized that the certification must translate into daily practice, warning staff against treating it as a decorative accolade. Ngari also reminded them of upcoming surveillance audits to verify ongoing compliance with the international standard.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka welcomed the milestone, noting that the assembly now joins other county institutions that have already secured ISO certification. He mentioned that the certification process offers public institutions an opportunity to review systems, address operational weaknesses, and improve service delivery to residents. This achievement is expected to enhance the assembly's internal operations and promote quality service delivery.
Assembly Clerk Charles Wafula and Speaker Emmanuel Situma pledged to embed the ISO quality-management system into the assembly's processes. Their goal is to strengthen internal operations and promote quality service delivery to the residents of Bungoma County. This commitment ensures that the assembly will integrate the ISO standards into its decision-making, administration, and citizen services.
Ngari emphasized that quality management should involve the whole institution, not just a single department. She stressed that lasting impact depends on integrating the standards into decision-making, administration, and citizen services. The KEBS chief executive cautioned that the certificate should not merely be displayed on a wall; it must live in the assembly's processes, decisions, and daily work to deliver tangible benefits to the public.
The ISO 9001:2015 certification is a testament to the Bungoma County Assembly's commitment to establishing effective institutional systems and consistent operational standards. This achievement sets a precedent for other county assemblies in Kenya to strive for similar excellence. The certification process has enabled the assembly to review its systems, address operational weaknesses, and improve service delivery.
The Bungoma County Assembly's achievement is a significant step towards enhancing its internal operations and promoting quality service delivery. The assembly's leadership has demonstrated its commitment to quality management, and the certification is expected to have a lasting impact on the assembly's processes and decision-making. The county assembly's ISO 9001:2015 certification is a notable achievement in its efforts to improve service delivery to residents.
Key points
- Bungoma County Assembly becomes first Kenyan county assembly to secure ISO 9001:2015 certification.
- Certification process enables assembly to review systems, address operational weaknesses, and improve service delivery.
- Assembly's leadership commits to embedding ISO quality-management system into its processes.
