The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has said that digitizing engineering approval processes could significantly boost Kenya’s investment climate, attract foreign capital, and create thousands of jobs by accelerating project delivery across the country.
Speaking during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme noted that slow manual approvals have been a major barrier to investment, delaying infrastructure projects and inflating costs for contractors.
He argued that shifting to digital platforms in all 47 counties and at the national level would make Kenya more competitive by reducing red tape and giving investors confidence in predictable timelines.
“Every day lost in manual approvals is a day of lost productivity and opportunity,” Eng. Kiteme said. “Digitization will not only speed up infrastructure delivery but also send a strong signal to local and international investors that Kenya is serious about efficiency and accountability.”
The session brought together policymakers, engineers, ICT experts, county leaders, and development partners, who examined the link between digital reforms and economic growth.
Participants highlighted that streamlined approval systems would cut project delays in key sectors such as housing, transport, water, and energy unlocking new opportunities for job creation and private sector growth.
Development partners stressed that investors increasingly look for markets where governance structures are transparent and processes are reliable.
A digital approval framework, they noted, would reduce uncertainty, improve cost management, and make Kenya’s infrastructure sector more attractive to financiers.
Counties, in particular, stand to benefit by drawing in private capital for local projects once their systems demonstrate efficiency and accountability.
The First institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Vice President Eng. Christine Ogut has called for counties and the national government to invest not only in digital transformation but also in strong cybersecurity systems to safeguard public services from disruption.
Making her remarks during a session at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, Ogut cautioned that the rush to digitize public services must go hand in hand with preparing for risks such as cyberattacks, data breaches, and system downtimes.
She noted that while digital platforms promise efficiency and convenience, weak protection mechanisms could expose citizens and government institutions to vulnerabilities that compromise trust in technology-driven governance.
“Digitization is the right path forward, but it must be accompanied by robust security measures,” Ogut said. “When you digitize, you must anticipate threats and prepare with redundancy, backup systems, and strong cybersecurity frameworks to ensure services remain available at all times.”
Speakers also noted that digitized approvals could lower project costs by minimizing delays, which often lead to budget overruns.
Faster project completion would allow contractors to reinvest in new projects, expanding opportunities for employment and skills development, especially for young engineers and technicians.
The discussion tied Kenya’s digital reforms directly to its economic transformation agenda. By reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving service delivery, and strengthening investor confidence, IEK argued that digital approvals could become a cornerstone of Kenya’s growth strategy.
As the Devolution Conference continues, stakeholders agreed that digital transformation in engineering is no longer a technical issue but an economic priority one that could determine how fast Kenya achieves its infrastructure and job creation goals.
