The dominance of foreign contractors in some of Kenya's biggest infrastructure projects is largely driven by financing agreements attached to donor-funded loans and not because the country lacks qualified engineers, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK) has said.
Speaking during a Radio Generation interview on Thursday, ACEK President Eng. Gabriel W. Jabongo said Kenya has a strong pool of skilled engineers capable of delivering quality infrastructure, but many projects financed through development partners come with conditions that require the lead contractor to come from the country providing the funding.
Jabongo explained that Kenya implements both locally funded and donor-supported infrastructure projects, with each following different procurement arrangements. While locally financed projects give the government more flexibility, donor-funded projects are guided by financing agreements that dictate how the projects are implemented.
Despite those conditions, he said Kenyan engineers should be involved from the earliest stages of project planning to help safeguard public resources, build local expertise and promote the transfer of knowledge.
He noted that although existing regulations require at least 40 percent local participation in donor-funded projects, many Kenyan professionals are often confined to junior positions instead of taking up technical and leadership roles.
According to Jabongo, bringing local engineers on board during the planning and design stages would enable them to better supervise construction and later maintain the completed infrastructure after it is handed over to the government.
He added that involving local experts from the beginning would also help determine whether the money allocated for a project is enough before construction starts.
"The engineer should be there and say that, is this fund adequate for this particular project or not? Otherwise, you can get a project, you are given funds, and that fund is not enough for that project. The project stops in the middle. Or sometimes the money is too much, and then some of that you don't even know where it goes," he said.
Jabongo also dismissed claims that Kenyan engineers deliver poor-quality work, insisting that local professionals are highly trained and continue to excel both at home and abroad.
"Our engineers are very, very well qualified. They do their work very well, and they also do supervision very, very well. Kenyan engineers, let me tell you, you will get them anywhere in the world. You go to Saudi Arabia, you'll find an engineer from Kenya. You go to Dubai, you'll get engineers there."
He said even projects led by foreign contractors depend heavily on Kenyan engineers, although many of them are engaged in lower-level positions rather than key technical roles.
Jabongo also weighed in on concerns over roads that develop defects only a few months after completion, saying the problem often begins long before construction work starts.
"It depends on how that road was conceptualised. Was the design done well? It also depends on the implementing agency. Some of the roads being done politically, you might find that a governor can just say that I want a tarmac here. They've not even done a design; they've already given a contractor."
He said quality roads require proper planning, including detailed surveys, soil testing and adequate excavation before any construction begins.
Jabongo further said contractors should only be awarded projects after proving they have qualified technical staff. He added that implementing agencies and regulators also have a responsibility to ensure proper planning, procurement and supervision so that completed infrastructure serves the public for many years.