The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised alarm over rampant corruption, inefficiency, and systemic failures in the development plan approval process within Nairobi City County.

IEK, in a statement issued on Saturday, April 26, 2025, expressed concern over the persistent frustrations experienced by its members, citing corruption, arbitrary rejections, and prolonged delays as major barriers to professional service delivery.

Corruption

According to the engineers‘ body, some county officials are reportedly demanding informal payments to facilitate approvals, undermining integrity and compromising public safety.

“The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) expresses deep concern over the growing challenges faced by our members in the submission and approval of development plans in Nairobi City County. Our members are facing frustrations from corruption, inefficiency, and lack of transparency in the development approval process,” the statement read in part.

“There is a mounting body of evidence of corrupt practices entrenched within the county’s approval system. Professionals have reported instances where development plans are delayed or rejected arbitrarily unless informal payments or favours are rendered. Such practices erode public trust and jeopardise the safety and integrity of the approval process. Corruption directly affects the pace and quality of urban development, exposing the public to unsafe infrastructure and unjust development outcomes.”

Systematic failures

Despite the digitisation of submissions through the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS), IEK says the platform is failing to deliver, with its members reporting frequent delays, missing payment confirmations, and unclear workflows.

“Despite the establishment of an online platform for submission, the NPDMS (Nairobi Planning & Development Management System), many development applications continue to face unnecessary delays. Reports indicate that unless follow-ups are made through physical visits to the county offices, submissions remain unattended. This has approvals that take as long as a year.

“At this point our clients think engineers are incompetent, and the credibility dent is a career threat to our members. Of course, the corrupt system is designed to manufacture desperation, inducing the need to bribe to get the approvals and save face. This not only negates the purpose of digitisation but also fuels gatekeeping and rewards rent-seeking,” IEK stated.

“Nairobi, like any modern metropolis, depends on sound engineering and planning to ensure safe, efficient, and resilient infrastructure. Engineers have a professional duty to uphold public safety, guided by ethical standards gelling with technical rigour. However, when county systems are compromised, engineers are unable to execute their mandate effectively. This results in delayed development, compromised building quality, and ultimately frustrating development.”

Engineers call for action

The engineers’ body has called for urgent intervention from Nairobi City County, the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, and key oversight bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The engineers have demanded a full audit of the approval process, accountability for corrupt officials, an overhaul of the digital platform, and structured engagement with professional bodies to guide reforms.

IEK STATEMENT ON FRUSTRATIONS ENGINEERS ARE EXPERIENCING WITH DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL IN THE NAIROBI CITY COUNTY.

Read the full statement here: https://t.co/yt2rzACrlP pic.twitter.com/O4AGU28wJV

— The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (@TheIEK) April 26, 2025