The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised alarm over persistent delays and corruption in the development approval process within Nairobi County, warning that the inefficiencies are severely hampering the construction and engineering sector.
Appearing before the Nairobi County Assembly Planning Committee on Tuesday, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme conveyed deep frustrations among engineers regarding the county’s opaque and sluggish system for approving development plans.
“Approvals are taking excessively long, and there is no clarity on the stages of the process,” Eng. Kiteme stated. “This lack of predictability is disrupting our work and frustrating developers alike.”
He further revealed that many professionals are unable to track the progress of their submissions, leading to project delays, increased costs, and widespread disillusionment among developers and investors.
The IEK also cited corruption as a key concern, with reports suggesting that some approvals are fast-tracked for those who pay bribes, while others stall indefinitely. Eng. Kiteme called for urgent reforms to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the approval process.
Additionally, the IEK president pointed out stark disparities between counties, noting that developers and engineers experience smoother and faster approvals in some counties outside Nairobi. This, he said, has prompted some professionals to shift their focus to more responsive jurisdictions, leaving Nairobi at risk of losing investment.
The engineers' outcry adds pressure on Nairobi County authorities to streamline the development approval process and restore integrity to a system that is crucial to the city's growth and infrastructure development.
The County Assembly Planning Committee is expected to issue recommendations following the session with IEK and other industry stakeholders.
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