The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has pledged to work closely with the Nairobi County Assembly and relevant departments to enhance service delivery and address systemic issues affecting engineering professionals and the built environment in the capital.
IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme conducted a press briefing at the Nairobi County Assembly chambers, where he was scheduled to appear before the Assembly’s Planning Committee. However, the meeting was postponed due to lack of quorum.
Eng. Kiteme raised concerns over persistent inefficiencies in the Electronic Development Applications Management System (eDAMS), the digital platform used for processing construction and development approvals in the city.
“We had come here to present critical challenges facing our members and engage the county leadership on the way forward, unfortunately the meeting could not proceed, but this only reinforces the need for improved coordination and accountability,” he said.
Eng. Kiteme noted that although eDAMS was intended to enhance efficiency and transparency in development approvals, it has instead become a major hurdle, with professionals reporting frequent system downtimes and delays of over a year.
“We are dealing with building plans that have stalled for over a year. The system experiences frequent and unexplained downtimes, raising fears of reverting to manual processes and potential backdoor dealings,” he noted.
Furthermore, he warned that the delays are eroding investor confidence and derailing key infrastructure projects in Nairobi, which serves as the country’s economic hub.
The IEK president also noted that engineers are often unfairly blamed for the stagnation, leading to loss of clients and professional credibility.
“Clients don’t see the systemic bottlenecks they only see the delay. Engineers are being unfairly judged due to issues beyond their control,” he added.
Eng. Kiteme reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to offer technical support and partner with county authorities to streamline the system and eliminate bottlenecks.
“As engineers, we are solution providers. We are not just raising complaints, we are offering our expertise to work with the Assembly, the Governor, and relevant departments to fix the system once and for all,” he stated.
Additionally, he called for inclusive dialogue in decision-making processes on urban planning, urging county authorities to adopt a more consultative approach with professional bodies.
IEK announced that it will seek to reschedule its meeting with the Planning Committee and expressed optimism that county leaders will respond with greater urgency.
“Ultimately, we all want the same thing a well-planned, efficient, and thriving Nairobi where professionals are respected and residents receive quality services,” said Eng. Kiteme.
By Joan Ogolla
