Former KenGen boss Eddy Njoroge named ISO global ambassador

Former National Securities Exchange Chairman Eddy Njoroge. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • Mr Njoroge thanked delegates from developing countries and Middle East for supporting his bid.
  • Developing nations called more inclusivity in deliberations leading to imposition of standards.

Former KenGen CEO Eddy Njoroge’s bid for the International Standards Organisation (ISO) presidency faltered yesterday after he scored 52 votes against Canadian John Walter’s 53votes.

He was however offered a key advisory role in ISO after the vote.

The election took place during the ISO’s General Assembly meeting in Beijing, China where Mr Njoroge made concerted efforts to give the global standards body its first African President since its formation 70 years ago.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Walter immediately offered Mr Njoroge the advisory role post saying his expertise in industry and business experience should be harnessed for ISO’s benefit.

“I am humbled and grateful at the same time. I would hope that Eddy would stay actively involved,” said Mr Walter.

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Charles Ongwae and Chairman Lucas Maitha affirmed Kenya’s support for Mr Walter.

Speaking after the loss, Mr Njoroge, who also former National Securities Exchange chairman, thanked delegates from developing countries and Middle East supporting his bid.

He said their support made a resounding statement to global superpowers that their regions could no longer be ignored.

Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Stephen Karau joined other delegates in calling for a change of electoral laws to have a revolving presidency saying this would grant Africa a chance to lead the global body.

Developing nations called more inclusivity in deliberations leading to imposition of standards saying this would ensure goods from their nations would access markets across the world.

ISO has published more than 21,000 International Standards and related documents, covering almost every industry from technology to food safety, agriculture and healthcare.