Engineers Urge Overhaul of Nairobi’s Flawed Development Approval Process

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is pushing for urgent reforms to Nairobi County’s Electronic Development Applications Management System (eDAMS), citing delays and inefficiencies that are stalling key infrastructure projects and eroding investor confidence.

IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme raised the alarm during a visit to the Nairobi County Assembly, where engineers were scheduled to meet with the assembly’s planning committee to present their grievances. However, the meeting was postponed due to lack of quorum.

Addressing the press outside the assembly, Eng. Kiteme expressed frustration over the persistent challenges engineers face while using the system. He pointed to frequent downtimes, approval delays of more than a year, and concerns that the inefficiencies could be intentional pushing applicants towards in-person interactions with county officials.

“These delays are not just inconveniences; they are disrupting major development projects and harming the county’s economic prospects,” said Eng. Kiteme. “It is imperative that all arms of the Nairobi County government work with stakeholders to restore trust and efficiency in the approval process.”

IEK has vowed to work closely with the County Assembly and other county entities to improve service delivery and find long-term solutions to the bottlenecks affecting development in the capital.

The call comes amid growing concern among industry professionals and investors over Nairobi’s ability to support timely development. The engineers warn that without prompt intervention, the city risks losing its competitive edge and professional standards in the built environment sector.

As the county grapples with the rising backlog of pending approvals, IEK is urging authorities to prioritize automation upgrades, transparency, and stakeholder engagement to restore functionality and accountability within the system.