Engineers push for more local content, bigger pie of mega projects

Kenyan engineers now want development of local manufacturing capabilities to produce materials that meet international standards in what will reduce reliance on imports and foster economic growth.

This, as they push for a bigger pie of mega projects in the country where foreign firms, mainly Chinese and Japanese have dominated key developments in roads, rail, ports and energy sector.

The firms continue to ride on financing backup from lenders back home which comes with exclusivity in contracts and project delivery.

The recent instances of infrastructure failures in the country, mainly in real estate, also underscore the need for more involvement of engineers in all phases of project development, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK) has said.

"We must advocate for increased local manufacturing to reduce our reliance on imports. This will not only bolster our economy but also create much-needed jobs for our people,” ACEK chairperson Jane Mutulili said.

“We are fast-tracking career progression guidelines and working diligently on the Building Control Bill to ensure that our infrastructure is safe, reliable, and sustainable"

She spoke yesterday during the third annual ACEK Conference which ends on Friday.

The construction industry in Kenya has witnessed a notable surge in the cost of building materials, largely due to increase in costs of importing both finished products and raw materials.

Kenya’s construction industry is driven primarily by two key infrastructure sectors-transportation and real estate. 

The country heavily depends on imports for clinker, a key ingredient foe cement manufacturing.

It also imports rivets, iron or steel, mainly from China, India, Japan United States and Canada.

Chinese-made construction materials and fittings such taps, hammers, saws, tiles, water pipes, sinks, doors, locks, ceiling boards, nails and electrical materials are also popular in the Kenyan market.

As part of Vision 2030, the Kenyan government has prioritised investments in engineered materials and equipment to support large-scale infrastructure projects.

“I challenge Engineers to push beyond the boundaries of innovation, adopting new technologies and methodologies that will enhance Kenya’s global competitiveness. This includes the integration of advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, the use of smart materials, and the application of digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction projects,” Mutulili added.

Meanwhile, the Engineers Board of Kenya  has affirmed  its commitment on regulation of engineering services, to ensure  practices meet the highest standards.

It is also working on development of engineering capacity, strategic partnerships and collaborations and engagements in expanding the Graduate Engineers Internship Program (GEIP) to ensure graduates are increasingly involved in infrastructure projects.

Board chairman  Erastus Mwongera has also called for good ethical practices and accountability.

“We have witnessed that our sector is increasingly becoming high-risk and prone to corruption. Therefore, it is good that we strengthen governance structures and disciplinary measures within our member firms. I call upon all of you to commit to these principles, as they are the cornerstone of our profession’s integrity,” Mwongera said.

Construction sub-sector registered a growth of three per cent in 2023 down from 4.1 per cent in 2022, despite government expenditure on the Affordable Housing Program (AHP)across the country, maintenance of roads by the Kenya Roads Board as well as loans advanced by commer-cial banks to the construction sector.