PS Joseph Mbugua Launches New Bridge Management Manuals to Enhance Safety and Strengthen Kenya's Road Infrastructure

 Principal Secretary for Roads  Eng. Joseph Mbugua  has directed all national road agencies and county governments to immediately adopt the newly launched Bridge Management Manuals (2026) during bridge inspections, describing the guidelines as a major milestone in improving the safety, maintenance, and resilience of Kenya's bridge infrastructure.

Speaking during the official launch, Eng. Mbugua said the manuals establish a standardized framework for the inspection, maintenance, and management of bridges across the country, ensuring consistency in engineering practices while safeguarding the integrity of critical transport infrastructure.

The Principal Secretary noted that the new guidelines will enhance public safety by enabling timely identification of structural defects, promoting preventive maintenance, and extending the lifespan of bridges through systematic inspections and evidence-based asset management.

He emphasized that the adoption of uniform inspection standards by road agencies and county governments will improve coordination, strengthen accountability, and support sustainable investment in road infrastructure.

"The Bridge Management Manuals (2026) represent a significant advancement in our efforts to build a safer, more resilient, and efficiently managed transport network. Their implementation will help ensure that our bridges continue to serve the public safely while supporting economic growth and national connectivity," said Eng. Mbugua.

The launch brought together senior stakeholders from the roads and transport sector, including Deputy Chief of Mission of Japan Hori Tomonobu, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli, JICA Kenya Chief Representative Shinkawa Makoto, as well as representatives from the  Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT)*, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), and academic institutions.

The event underscored the strong collaboration between the Government of Kenya, development partners, and technical institutions in advancing modern infrastructure management systems. The Ministry noted that the manuals will play a critical role in strengthening bridge asset management, enhancing engineering standards, and ensuring the long-term resilience and reliability of Kenya's transport infrastructure.