IEK Calls for Full Digitalization of Engineering Approvals to Boost Infrastructure Growth
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has called for the complete digitalization of engineering approval processes at both county and national government levels, in a bid to reduce delays, curb inefficiencies, and accelerate infrastructure development across the country.
Speaking during an IEK side event at the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme underscored the need for counties to embrace digital platforms, noting that manual systems have for years slowed down project delivery and left room for malpractice.
He said that digitizing approvals would not only enhance transparency but also improve accountability in infrastructure implementation.
“Digital platforms will speed up engineering approvals, eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure projects are delivered on time,” Eng. Kiteme said. “This reform is critical to strengthening governance and boosting Kenya’s competitiveness in infrastructure growth.”
The session, which brought together engineers, ICT experts, county leaders, policymakers, and development partners, explored how technology can transform governance and service delivery. Participants agreed that digital transformation would foster stronger collaboration between the national and county governments while creating a more conducive environment for investors and contractors.
Kenya’s infrastructure sector has often grappled with lengthy approval processes, which delay critical projects in roads, housing, water, and energy. IEK argued that a streamlined digital framework would not only reduce inefficiencies but also align Kenya with global best practices in engineering project management.
Development partners present at the session welcomed IEK’s push, stressing that technology-driven approvals would play a key role in unlocking private sector investment and ensuring that counties deliver projects that meet safety and quality standards.
If adopted, the digital reforms would cover all 47 counties, creating a uniform approval process that is faster, transparent, and less vulnerable to corruption. According to IEK, this shift would mark a milestone in Kenya’s journey toward leveraging technology for sustainable development.
First-IEK Vice President Urges Counties to Budget for Digital Transformation
Second Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Vice President Eng. Christine Ogut has urged counties and the national government to budget for digital transformation in service delivery. Speaking at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, she stressed that equitable access must guide digitization, noting that most public service and commercial vehicles are already onboarded onto online platforms during inspections.
Ogut warned that digital systems face risks such as downtime and cyberattacks, calling for strong backup systems, redundancy, and cybersecurity measures. “When you digitize, you must anticipate threats and prepare for them with robust systems,” she said.
She further emphasized the need for interagency linkages, citing integration of vehicle tax compliance, insurance verification, and the Kenya Roads Board database as examples. Ogut said early data-sharing agreements would enable interoperability, allowing citizens to access multiple services on a single platform.
The Devolution Conference in Homa Bay has provided a platform for stakeholders to reimagine how technology can drive national growth, with IEK’s proposals seen as timely in light of Kenya’s ambitious infrastructure agenda.
