The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has moved to reassure the public over the safety of methanol in the country.
This follows reports in some sections of the media linking the country to a list of eight nations at risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or tainted alcoholic drinks.
In a statement issued, Kebs clarified that all methanol in Kenya, whether locally manufactured or imported, undergoes mandatory denaturation to make it unfit for human consumption.
“All methanol in the country is denatured by adding the bitterest chemical known, denatonium benzoate,” the Bureau stated.
The statement is dated October 22, 2025.
"This ensures methanol found in Kenya can never be mistaken for alcohol, as the compound gives it an extremely bitter taste that prevents ingestion," it said.
The agency
emphasised that methanol sold or used within Kenya is strictly
governed by established national standards developed by the
Industrial Solvents and Chemical Technical Committee.
These standards, which have been officially gazetted, include:
KS 2471:2013-Methanol for Industrial Use-Specifications
KS 2582-1:2014- Safety of Chemical Products-Code of Practice-Part 1: Safety of Methanol
KS 2583:2014-Denatonium Benzoate in Alcohols- Test Method
KS 2584:2018- Transport of Dangerous Goods- Operational Requirements of Road Vehicles
These regulations ensure that all methanol products are produced, tested, transported, and used safely within the country.
“The above standards guide product certification and are used by KEBS to verify compliance before methanol is approved for industrial or commercial use,” the statement read.
According to Kebs, strict provisions under KS 2582-1:2014 aim to prevent methanol abuse or diversion for illegal alcohol production.
Section 4.1.6 of the standard stipulates that “all grades of methanol, except those meant for laboratory use, shall be denatured with denatonium benzoate to prevent oral intake by vulnerable consumers.”
Further, Section 4.1.7 requires that when tested in line with KS 2583, all non-laboratory methanol must contain not less than 8 parts per million (ppm) of the denaturant.
The Bureau noted that these procedures form part of Kenya’s robust quality control framework designed to protect the public from exposure to unsafe chemicals and to deter the illegal use of methanol in alcoholic beverages.
Kebs further
explained that denaturation, the process of chemically altering a
substance,serves as a key safety mechanism.
In methanol’s case, adding denatonium benzoate makes it unbearably bitter, thus preventing accidental or intentional ingestion.
“Denatonium benzoate is the world’s bitterest compound. Even in minute quantities, it cannot be swallowed due to its extreme bitterness,” it explained.
It urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and only purchase alcohol and industrial chemicals from licensed and certified sources, noting that all legitimate methanol products in the country bear Kebs certification marks of quality.
The agency also reiterated its commitment to enforcing standards, conducting regular market surveillance, and collaborating with other government agencies to prevent the circulation of counterfeit or unsafe products.
“The safety of Kenyans remains our top priority,” the statement further read.
