Engineers Push for Digital Overhaul in Project Approval Systems

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is urging both county and national governments to fast-track the shift to fully digital approval systems for engineering projects, warning that outdated manual processes are slowing infrastructure delivery and opening doors to malpractice.

Addressing the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme said embracing technology-driven platforms in all 47 counties would enhance transparency, cut approval times, and improve efficiency across the sector.

“Manual systems breed inefficiencies, cause unnecessary delays, and, at times, create room for questionable practices,” Kiteme noted. “Digitising the process will speed up approvals and guarantee accountability at every stage.”

The conference brought together engineers, ICT specialists, and policymakers to explore how digital reforms could improve governance and service delivery. Speakers pointed to successful transformations in sectors such as e-procurement and online land registries, which have reduced red tape and built public trust.

IEK believes a real-time, trackable approval system would minimise human error, establish a reliable audit trail, and align with Kenya’s broader digital transformation agenda. Such a system could accelerate national infrastructure projects ranging from roads and bridges to water systems and energy facilities.

Delegates also discussed the benefits of integrating engineering approvals with related departments—such as environmental assessment and urban planning—into a single, streamlined digital platform.

The proposals will now feed into ongoing engagements with policymakers as Kenya seeks to modernise infrastructure delivery and strengthen public sector accountability.