The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is calling for sweeping digital reforms in the approval of engineering projects, warning that reliance on manual systems has fueled delays, exposed the sector to malpractice, and slowed infrastructure development for years.
Speaking at an IEK side event during the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme urged county and national governments to embrace digital platforms for project approvals across all 47 counties. He said the shift would bring greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability to the sector.
“Digitisation will eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, enabling faster infrastructure delivery and improved governance,” Kiteme said.
The session brought together ICT experts, engineers, policymakers, county leaders, and development partners to explore how technology could accelerate infrastructure growth and strengthen collaboration between national and county governments.
Second IEK Vice President Christine Ogut emphasised that successful digital adoption requires adequate budgeting and equitable service access. He noted that online systems have already enabled the onboarding of most public service and commercial vehicles for inspection, improving efficiency.
However, Ogut cautioned that digitalisation comes with risks such as system downtime and cyber threats. “Counties must build redundancy, backup systems, and strong security from the start,” he advised.
He also highlighted the benefits of interagency linkages, citing integrations with the Kenya Revenue Authority for vehicle tax verification, insurance databases for ownership and chassis details, and the Kenya Roads Board for road infrastructure data. These connections, he said, enable real-time information sharing and improve compliance.
Ogut stressed the importance of negotiating data-sharing agreements early to ensure interoperability. “With proper frameworks, multiple agencies can operate on one platform with varying levels of access depending on their mandate,” he explained.
The IEK’s proposals align with Kenya’s broader push for technology-driven governance, aiming to streamline public service delivery and accelerate national development.
If adopted, the shift to digital approvals could help remove red tape, cut costs, and speed up construction timelines, giving a much-needed boost to the country’s infrastructure agenda.
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