Roads Ministry Unveils Draft Rules to Regulate Engineering Technologists, Employers

Roads Ministry Unveils Draft Rules to Regulate Engineering Technologists, Employers

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Roads and Transport has unveiled a new set of proposed regulations that could significantly reshape the engineering technology profession and introduce stricter compliance requirements for employers operating within Kenya’s infrastructure and construction sectors.

The draft Engineering Technology (Registration, Licensing and Compliance) Rules, 2026 seek to establish a comprehensive framework governing the registration, licensing, regulation, and professional conduct of engineering technologists and technicians across the country.

If adopted, the regulations are expected to strengthen accountability, improve professional standards, and enhance public safety in engineering-related projects, particularly in major infrastructure developments such as roads, bridges, and public works.

The proposed rules were announced through a public notice issued on Tuesday, June 9, by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who said the ministry had developed the framework in consultation with the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board.

“It is notified for the information of the general public that the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, in consultation with the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board, has developed draft Engineering Technology (Registration, Licensing and Compliance) Rules, 2026,” Chirchir stated in the notice.

The proposed regulations come at a time when Kenya continues to invest heavily in infrastructure development, with billions of shillings being directed toward road construction, transport modernization, housing projects, and other strategic developments aimed at accelerating economic growth.

Government officials say the new framework is designed to ensure that professionals involved in such projects possess the necessary qualifications, competencies, and ethical standards required to deliver quality services.

According to the ministry, the regulations will provide clear guidelines on professional registration and licensing while establishing compliance mechanisms intended to protect both consumers and the public from unqualified practitioners.

Under the draft rules, engineering technologists and technicians would be required to obtain proper registration and licensing before offering professional services.

The framework is also expected to introduce stricter oversight measures targeting companies and organizations operating within the engineering sector.

Firms undertaking engineering projects may be required to demonstrate compliance with professional standards, regulatory requirements, and licensing obligations before being allowed to operate or participate in government projects.

Industry observers believe the proposed changes could have a particularly significant impact on companies involved in road construction and public infrastructure projects, many of which regularly compete for government contracts.

The ministry says the regulations are intended to promote professional competence, ethical conduct, and greater accountability throughout the engineering value chain.

“The rules aim to strengthen professional standards, enhance compliance, promote ethics and improve public safety in engineering-related work,” the ministry noted.

Stakeholders in the engineering sector have long called for stronger regulation of technical professions, arguing that clearer standards could help reduce cases of substandard work, project delays, and safety concerns associated with poorly executed infrastructure projects.

As part of the public participation process required under the Constitution, the Ministry of Roads and Transport has invited members of the public, professional associations, employers, training institutions, and industry stakeholders to review the proposed regulations and submit their views.

The ministry has scheduled a series of public consultation forums across the country between June 29 and July 6, 2026, to gather feedback before the rules are finalized.

Engineering professionals, academic institutions, contractors, and private sector organizations are expected to play a key role in shaping the final framework through their submissions and recommendations.

“The Cabinet Secretary invites interested members of the public, stakeholders and organisations to submit comments or views or make representations regarding the draft Rules and the draft Regulatory Impact Statement,” Chirchir added.

Officials say the consultation process is aimed at ensuring the final regulations are practical, effective, and reflective of the concerns of those who will be directly affected by the reforms.

If approved, the Engineering Technology Rules 2026 could mark a major milestone in the professionalization of Kenya’s engineering technology sector, establishing new standards for practitioners and employers while strengthening oversight in one of the country’s most critical industries.

The outcome of the public participation exercise is expected to determine the final shape of the regulations and how they will influence the future of engineering practice, infrastructure delivery, and professional accountability in Kenya.

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Roads Ministry Unveils Draft Rules to Regulate Engineering Technologists, Employers