The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has renewed calls for sweeping digital reforms in the approval of engineering projects, warning that reliance on manual systems has created delays, increased the risk of malpractice, and slowed infrastructure development for years.
Speaking during an IEK side event at the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme urged both county and national governments to fully embrace digital platforms for engineering approvals across all 47 counties. He said the shift would improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the sector.
“Digitalisation will significantly speed up engineering approvals, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that have hampered development for too long,” Kiteme said. “By leveraging technology, we can deliver infrastructure projects faster and more effectively, ensuring better governance and public trust.”
The session brought together ICT experts, engineers, policymakers, county leaders, and development partners to discuss how technology can fast-track infrastructure delivery and strengthen collaboration between national and county governments.
Second IEK Vice President Eng. Christine Ogut highlighted practical lessons from digital transitions in other sectors, stressing the need for adequate budgeting and equitable service access. He said online platforms have enabled the onboarding of most public service and commercial vehicles for inspection services, improving efficiency and access.
However, Ogut warned that digitalisation comes with its own challenges, including cybersecurity threats and system downtime. “Counties must build redundancy, backup systems, and strong security from the start,” he advised.
He also underscored the importance of interagency linkages, citing successful 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 linkages, he noted, enable real-time information sharing, improve compliance, and enhance public service delivery.
Ogut urged early negotiation of data-sharing agreements to ensure interoperability between national and county systems. “With proper frameworks, different agencies can work on one platform with varying levels of access depending on their mandate,” he said.
Participants at the forum agreed that digital transformation in engineering approvals could be a catalyst for Kenya’s infrastructure growth. By replacing cumbersome manual processes with efficient digital systems, the country could save time, cut costs, and improve governance in service delivery.
The IEK’s proposals come amid a broader national push for technology-driven governance reforms aimed at boosting efficiency, transparency, and public trust across critical sectors.