Kenya’s quest for rapid infrastructure development could receive a major boost if calls by the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) for nationwide digital approval systems are implemented.
Speaking during an IEK side event at the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme emphasised that transitioning engineering project approvals from manual to digital platforms across all 47 counties and at the national level would cut red tape, enhance transparency, and accelerate construction timelines.
“The delays caused by manual approvals have slowed down national development for too long,” Eng. Kiteme noted. “By embracing digital systems, we can speed up project delivery, improve accountability, and ensure that both public and private sector projects are executed more efficiently.”
According to IEK, the current paper-based processes for obtaining engineering approvals are time-consuming, vulnerable to human error, and susceptible to bureaucratic bottlenecks that often stall projects for months.
Digital platforms, they argue, would streamline workflows, enable real-time tracking of applications, and reduce opportunities for corruption.
The Homa Bay session brought together county government representatives, engineers, policymakers, and technology providers to explore how innovation can be leveraged to fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Delegates discussed successful models in other sectors, such as digital land registries and e-procurement systems, which have significantly improved service delivery and reduced delays.
Industry leaders also stressed that adopting a nationwide digital approval system would align with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda, as outlined in the Kenya National Digital Master Plan.
This would not only support President William Ruto’s commitment to modernising public services but also attract more investment into Kenya’s infrastructure sector by creating a more predictable and transparent project environment.
The IEK’s proposal is expected to spark further engagement with county governments, the State Department for Public Works, and the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy.
If adopted, the move could mark a turning point in Kenya’s infrastructure landscape, enabling projects—from roads and bridges to water systems and power plants—to move from the planning
