Kenya’s journey toward faster infrastructure growth and economic competitiveness could get a major boost if the country embraces digital approval systems for engineering projects, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has said.
Speaking at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme stressed that delays caused by manual approval processes have slowed national development and increased project costs.
“Red tape in approvals has cost this country valuable time and resources. Digitalization is the key to faster, more efficient project delivery,” he said.
The session, which brought together ICT experts, policymakers, county leaders, and development partners, examined how technology could be used to accelerate infrastructure growth, attract investors, and create jobs. Participants agreed that more efficient approval systems would improve investor confidence, speed up timelines for road, housing, and energy projects, and reduce overall costs.
IEK First Vice President Christine Ogut highlighted the need for counties and the national government to allocate sufficient budgets for digital transformation. She noted that equitable access to services and inter-agency linkages would be vital to ensuring nationwide economic benefits.
“Digital reforms must be inclusive and linked across systems. Investors and citizens alike benefit when approvals are fast, transparent, and reliable,” Ogut said.
She further emphasized that integrated platforms already in use, such as those linking vehicle inspections with tax compliance and insurance, have proven that interconnectivity works. Expanding such models to infrastructure approvals would streamline processes and attract more private sector participation.
With Kenya racing to meet Vision 2030 goals and continental development commitments, engineers believe digitization could be the catalyst that unlocks growth. By eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, the government would enable faster implementation of mega-projects, boosting trade, industrialization, and job creation.
“Faster infrastructure means faster growth,” Kiteme concluded. “Digital approvals are not just about efficiency they are about unlocking Kenya’s economic potential.”
