Engineers Urged to Go Digital to Boost Cybersecurity, Speed Approvals

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is calling for a complete shift to digital approval systems for engineering projects across all 47 counties and the national government, in a bid to cut delays, enhance transparency, and accelerate infrastructure development.

Speaking at an IEK side event during the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme said the move would help eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that have slowed project delivery for years.

“Digital platforms will significantly speed up engineering approvals, improve transparency, and strengthen collaboration between national and county governments,” he noted.

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The forum brought together ICT experts, engineers, policymakers, county leaders, and development partners to explore how digital transformation can fast-track service delivery, improve governance, and foster equitable access to services.

Second IEK Vice President Eng.Cristine Ogut emphasized that counties must budget for the transition to digital systems and ensure all services are onboarded to promote equity. He also warned of the need for strong cybersecurity measures and system resilience, citing challenges such as downtime and attempted breaches faced by existing platforms.

Ogut outlined practical lessons from ongoing digital integrations, including linking vehicle inspection and insurance databases with national tax systems, enabling real-time verification of taxes, duties, ownership, and road safety compliance. He stressed that early negotiation of data-sharing agreements between national and county governments is key to ensuring interoperability.

“The takeaway is that with the right planning, counties can work on one platform with different levels of access for relevant agencies, ensuring efficiency and accountability in service delivery,” Ogut said.

If implemented, IEK’s proposal could mark a turning point in Kenya’s infrastructure development, cutting approval times and creating a more transparent, interconnected governance framework for engineering projects nationwide.