Shammah Kiteme, President- Institution of Engineers of Kenya
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has pledged to work closely with the Nairobi County Assembly and all relevant arms of the county government to address persistent challenges plaguing the Electronic Development Applications Management System (eDAMS) and ensure improved service delivery for city residents.
IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme made the commitment on Wednesday during a visit to the Nairobi County Assembly, where a scheduled meeting with the Assembly’s Planning Committee was called off due to lack of quorum.
Despite the setback, Kiteme emphasized the engineers’ readiness to offer technical expertise and collaborate on reforms aimed at streamlining development approvals and curbing systemic inefficiencies.
Among the key concerns raised by the IEK are prolonged downtimes of the eDAMS platform, delays stretching over a year in processing development approvals, and rising fears that the sluggishness could be deliberate—designed to push developers and consultants into physical interactions with county officials, a scenario that opens doors to corruption.
“The Electronic Development Applications Management System was envisioned to fast-track approvals and enhance transparency in the built environment,” Eng. Kiteme stated. “Instead, what we are witnessing are frustrating delays that cripple progress and threaten the integrity of the system.”
He warned that such inefficiencies not only slow down critical construction and infrastructure projects but also dent investor confidence in Nairobi’s development processes.
The IEK president reiterated the institution’s commitment to offering technical support and policy advice to resolve the challenges and help reposition Nairobi as a model city for digital governance in urban planning.
The stalled meeting with the Planning Committee will be rescheduled, according to county officials. Meanwhile, engineers are calling for an urgent audit of the eDAMS system and a clear roadmap to restore its functionality and integrity.
As Nairobi continues to grow and urbanize rapidly, experts stress that a reliable, transparent, and fully digital development approval system is crucial in shaping a sustainable and well-managed capital. The IEK’s renewed push signals a broader call for accountability and reform in Nairobi’s urban governance.